This year it ran from 13-19 February, and we asked WGGB members to write and share short social media posts covering:
- Why they’re a WGGB member
- What the Writers’ Guild has achieved, either collectively or personally
- Encouraging everyone, especially fellow writers, to be in a union
Members also included messages of solidarity for the workers who are striking for better pay and conditions and showed their opposition to the Government’s anti-strike legislation.
We also produced an official WGGB #HeartUnions Twibbon, which members added to their profile picture (and we also produced a social media flyer).
Our members joined other writers such as Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti who has said: “I believe in the union movement and the power of a collective voice to shout loudly for the good of all.”
Laura Wade: “The Guild continues to do hugely important work for all of us, and as a freelance worker, it’s very empowering to know you’ve got such a strong organisation behind you.”
And Jack Thorne who has said “I grew up being taken to picket lines and on marches, my Dad was chair of his union. Collective action is the way that we are all protected and the world made better. I believe in the WGGB, the TUC and the need for workers’ rights.”
You can see all the #HeartUnions Tweets below
Watch a video of our event featuring WGGB President Sandi Toksvig OBE on ‘why writers need unions’
#HeartUnions Tweets
All writers are better off because of the @TheWritersGuild. I joined decades ago as soon as I was eligible and I've been a member ever since. The more writers who are members, the stronger we are. #HeartUnionsWeek pic.twitter.com/yMGeDv3zIS
— Gregory Evans (@GregoryEvans) February 14, 2023
#HeartsUnions The Writers Guild does fantastic work for writers and has some great resources for members too https://t.co/zRMWhZNHl9
— Fiona Hunnisett (@FHunnisett) February 15, 2023
Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti said “I believe in the union movement and the power of a collective voice to shout loudly for the good of all.”#HeartUnions pic.twitter.com/7D3epRRpKi
— The Writers' Guild (@TheWritersGuild) February 13, 2023
.@Minghowriter said “Freelancers are a vulnerable workforce. With rights under threat as never before in my lifetime, the power of a collective voice cannot be overestimated: join a union!” pic.twitter.com/kuyTgEcEdp
— The Writers' Guild (@TheWritersGuild) February 13, 2023
.@emmako "The WGGB mediated between writers & prod co/broadcaster on a show w/racist portrayals of its characters. But for the diplomatic handling by the Guild, the show would have no doubt aired, harming the community it meant to represent. Join the guild they’re the good guys!" pic.twitter.com/DjmVMumBrU
— The Writers' Guild (@TheWritersGuild) February 13, 2023
The cost of being a member of two unions is negligible when compared to what I would have paid for the legal help they have provided. Freelancers are a hugely vulnerable & growing part of workforce – get your voice heard ♥️#HeartUnions #solidarity @TheWritersGuild @WeAreTheMU pic.twitter.com/tlT7R0n4sT
— Karen Anstee (@kazanstee) February 13, 2023