SOCIALIST PARTY USA STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE SCREENWRITERS STRIKE

Labor Commission of the SP-USA

When the irreverent early 20th century comedian W.C. Fields was once caught reading the bible he explained that he was “looking for some loopholes.” On Monday November 5th, 12,000 members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) took a bold strike action to sew up some of the loopholes which have allowed the entertainment industry to make exorbitant profits from their labor. The Socialist Party USA (SP-USA) stands with the WGA and calls upon the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to concede to the WGA’s demands for a just contract.

Unlike the often inebriated actor Fields, the AMPTP has found many profitable loopholes. While screenwriters are paid industry rates for work aired in traditional media venues such as television and movies, they receive only a small fraction of the profits generated in the “new” media outlets of DVD sales and internet based programming. Writers currently receive only 5 cents per unit for the sale of a DVD. For entertainment delivered via internet streaming video WGA members receive only 1.2% of gross revenue. There is also currently no language in the contract regarding the producer’s right to insert product placements into WGA member created scripts.read more »

Fliering at BK in NYC

Saturday MAY 12th
Noon: Meet at Union Square South (by the steps)

Burger King
115 E 23rd St, At Park Ave.
See www.fairfoodnyc.org for more

From the SP-USA

As part of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers Fair Food Campaign, a campaign endorsed and supported by the SPUSA, the Student Farmworker Alliance (SFA) has called for Fair Food Actions on May 11-12th.

Party members, supporters and local affiliates are encouraged to take part.

Check out the Party's Fair Food/Immigrant Solidarity website at for information.

Take action in your community and let Burger King know that you won't accept a day more of inaction while injustice and human rights violations continue in the fields where BK's tomatoes are picked.

Also check out the CIW site ( ) to see the report from last weekend's exciting "Clean Clothes, Fair Food" conference and protest in New York City!

In Unity,

Greg Pason
National Secretary
Socialist Party USA

ACTION ALERT FROM THE CIW

Greetings,

The historic Taco Belland McDonald'sagreements were two huge steps down the path to farmworker justice, and students and youth were pivotal in both campaigns. Today, the movement for Fair Food continues as the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and its allies look to expand the precedents of these agreements to the world's #2 burger chain: Miami-based Burger King.

Mark your calendars and start organizing today to join students and young people across the country this May 11-12 in calling on Burger King to work with the CIW to address the human rights crisis in Florida's fields. Click herefor action ideas you can take in your own community, including dropping off the newBK manager letter .         read more »

United States Social Forum 2007

June 27 - July 1, 2007 Atlanta, GA

more info at http://www.ussf2007.org/

SP-USA Delegation Updates

October 19-21, 2007: Socialist Party USA National Convention- St. Louis Missouri

more info