Well just when all your favourite TV shows were starting to return to the airwaves and studios were starting to get their movies back in production, it appears Hollywood has been blindsided by another strike that no one was counting on. While everyone was busy worrying about the possibility of an actor’s strike or a director’s strike this summer, they didn’t realize that GAGGA (Grip and Gaffer’s Guild of America) actually had a contract expiring this month as well. Despite some attempts at preliminary negotations, it looks like they are set to go out on strike by the end of the week.

Tom Buscovik, head of GAGGA, had this to say about the situation: “We are hopeful that the outstanding issues can be resolved quickly and that no major productions will be affected. However, as of Friday morning all guild members will be out on the picket line, until we feel that our contribution to the industry is given the respect that it deserves.”

Insiders say that after a settlement was made between the Writer’s Guild and producers a few months ago, GAGGA is now asking for some type of residual compensation for its members as well, citing their creative contribution to the filmmaking process as justification. In addition, they are hoping to get a disclaimer added to the credits of every film explaining what exactly a gaffer is, in order to raise awareness among moviegoers. Personally I think they’re entitled to a bigger cut, after all, they are unsung heroes and we all know that a movie can have great acting and a great script, but that’s all completely meaningless without electricity. Let’s just hope this impending strike doesn’t drag on too long as it would be a huge blow to Hollywood right now.