2024 Writers Guild Awards: I.A.T.S.E., Teamsters, SAG-AFTRA and AFM Honored with the WGA East’s Richard B. Jablow Award

NEW YORK, NY (April 14, 2024) – Solidarity is a big winner at the 2024 Writers Guild Awards New York Ceremony. 

Early into the ceremony, it was announced that the Writers Guild of America East’s Richard B. Jablow Award was being bestowed upon the members and leadership of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E.), International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and American Federation of Musicians (AFM) for demonstrating unwavering support and sacrifice during the WGA’s 148-day strike.

While presenting the honorary award, WGAE President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, who received the Jablow Award in 2020, stated, “To me, the most pivotal moments of the WGA strike of 2023 were each and every time we were joined by our sister unions. Each and every time Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians showed up to play honky tonk on the sidewalks of New York City. Each and every time a Teamster truck driver refused to cross our line. Each and every time an IATSE crew member sacrificed their day’s pay for our cause. Each and every time a SAG-AFTRA actor grabbed a megaphone out of our hands and chanted chants that did not rhyme. Thank you for your solidarity. We are one union, and we stand by your side, forever.”

In accepting the honor, labor leaders attending the New York Ceremony spoke of the importance of union solidarity during the strikes of 2023 and as I.A.T.S.E. and Teamsters continue their negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

“The dignity of workers is always worth fighting for, and we know our collective power is the key to success,” said I.A.T.S.E. International President Matt Loeb. “We face the same employers and many similar issues as our sister unions. Their fight is ours and vice versa. We’re proud to stand beside our sisters, brothers, and kin in their struggles and bolstered by their support for us in our fight for a fair contract.”

Teamsters Local 817 President Thomas J. O’Donnell said, “The strikes of 2023 were remarkable for their historic display of steadfast solidarity. If we cannot be divided, we cannot be defeated. Theatrical Teamsters Local 817 shall always stand in support of our brothers & sisters in the labor movement.”  

SAG-AFTRA Chief Labor Policy Officer and New York Local Executive Director Rebecca Damon said, “The deep bond among New York unions on display during the historic Hot Labor Summer has never been stronger. SAG-AFTRA members were out in force with WGA East members from the beginning, WGA East members stayed out with us until the end, and members of I.A.T.S.E. and Teamsters joined us from start to finish. The solidarity among us all speaks of the union power to come.”

AFM Local 802 President and Executive Director Sara Cutler added, “Unions are—and always will be—stronger when we are in solidarity with one another. When unions and working people stand with each other, there is nothing we can’t accomplish. Local 802 was proud to stand, walk, and march with WGA and SAG-AFTRA during their strikes, and in turn we were so honored and grateful when they joined Local 802, AFM for our rallies and negotiations. When we stand together, we are very, very powerful.”

Motion Picture Editors Guild, IATSE Local 700, Eastern Executive Director Jennifer Myers said, “Solidarity is the lifeblood of every union, and that’s why Local 700 members are proud to stand alongside our union kin in the WGA. Their fight was, and is, our fight. Standing together has never been more important than right now.”

“We have and will continue to proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with our WGA and entertainment kin,” said Carl Mulert, National Business Agent of United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE. “All of us—together—are the workers who tirelessly create the worlds we immerse ourselves in on stage and screen. We deserve to be fairly recognized and compensated for our work, for our artistry, and for the contributions that live on and inspire our audiences long after we wrap a project. We applaud the WGA leadership and membership for leading the way, mobilizing our industry, and showing that when we fight, we win.”

Established in 1978 to recognize devoted service to the Guild, the Jablow Award was created in honor of Richard B. Jablow, who helped found the WGAE, authored its constitution, and served as its first counsel. Past honorees include Claire Labine, Herb Sargent, Ernest Kinoy, Stephen Schiff, James Schamus, Michael Winship, Chris Albers, Courtney Simon, Gail Lee, Melissa Salmons and Tom Fontana. 

The 2024 Writers Guild Awards (76th Annual) are being held at concurrent ceremonies in New York City and Los Angeles on Sunday, April 14, 2024. The Writers Guild Awards honor outstanding writing in film, television, new media, news, radio and promotional categories. 

The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) and the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) are labor unions representing writers in motion pictures, television, cable, digital media and broadcast news. The Guilds negotiate and administer contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of their members; conduct programs, seminars and events on issues of interest to writers; and present writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America East, visit www.wgaeast.org. For more information on the Writers Guild of America West, visit www.wga.org.

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