For many years Disney CEO Bob Iger was considered one of the best things that happened to the Walt Disney Company. The CEO led the Walt Disney Company for fifteen years before retiring and stepping aside for former Disney CEO Bob Chapek to take over. It’s no secret that Bob Chapek’s tenure was fraught with confrontation and controversy, whether from the start of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill (officially called the Parental Rights in Education Act in Florida, from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis) or the criticism constantly thrown his way of only worrying about the bottom line, i.e., caring about nothing more than the money Disney was making.
Unionized Hollywood Actors Join Writer’s Strike
The WGA went on strike earlier this year following unsuccessful negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Recently, SAG-AFTRA actors joined the strike, and the current strike became the first dual strike from the two unions in more than six decades and one of the most noteworthy ones with huge consequences for the film and television industry.
The striking writers wanted fair pay and demanded more stability in their jobs and security with the incorporation of AI into the creative industry.
Sean Gunn says “in 1980, CEOs made 30x what the lowest worker was making, now Bob Iger makes 400x what his lowest worker is making.”
“I think that’s a fucking shame Bob, and maybe you should look in the mirror & ask why is that? Is it morally okay?” https://t.co/yJkbz9QT28
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 15, 2023
Bob Iger Puts His Foot in His Mouth
Recently, Disney CEO Bob Iger went on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” and made some remarks about the strike that landed him in hot water. Iger stated that the current strike would have detrimental effects on the industry, adding that the Guild’s demands were not “realistic” and the strike was “very disturbing” because studios are still trying to figure out how to come back from COVID.
Many have slammed the CEO for his “tone deaf” and insensitive remarks, and recently, Guardians of the Galaxy actor Sean Gunn called out Bob Iger, challenging the CEO’s remarks stating, “in 1980, CEOs made 30x what the lowest worker was making, now Bob Iger makes 400x what his lowest worker is making.”
He added, “I think that’s a f****** shame Bob, and maybe you should look in the mirror & ask why is that? Is it morally okay?”
While many agreed with Gunn, celebrating his words, some highlighted that Gunn himself also made a fair amount more than the lowest-paid worker. One shared, “Just going to throw it out there, Sean Gunn makes nearly 10x the same lowest paid worker…”
Another commenter highlighted the differences in the value of work:
what about 400x more in value? Because that’s ultimately what salary is?
How do you quantify value?
Idk I understand this perespective in the post, at the same time Disney is one of the largest media companies in the world. I couldn’t run Disney even if you paid me 400x.
— Daniel ◹◺ (@daniel100eth) July 15, 2023
At the moment of publishing, the strikers and artists are still at an impasse with studios.
