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
As a playwright I value @TheWritersGuild more than I can say.Quite apart from benefiting from the agreements they negotiate, they’ve assisted me in a couple of matters that would have been hard resolve without their https://t.co/hiKbSSdeWe in a union! #HeartUnions
— nick wood (@nickwood39) February 14, 2023
As it's #HeartUnions Week, big shout out to my union @TheWritersGuild fighting for writers' rights, sharing knowledge and the West Mids members are lovely and supportive group of people to just hang out with.
— Matthew Gabrielli (@Mr_Gabrielli) February 15, 2023
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
Steven Knight said "When a writer sets out on their career, they need a community of interest and a support network to help them negotiate the creative world they have entered.
— The Writers' Guild (@TheWritersGuild) February 13, 2023
#HeartUnions Week is an annual celebration of the trade union movement.@TheWritersGuild has been an invaluable source of information, training, advice and community to me as I navigate the early stages of my TV writing career.
I urge everyone to join a union. Stronger together.— Alexandra Taylor (@AlexinBrum) February 13, 2023
It's #HeartUnions week! If you're a UK writer in almost any medium, @TheWritersGuild is your union, and believe me, we'd be a lot worse off without them. Whatever line of work you're in, join a union and make things better for everyone!
— Debbie Moon (@DebbieBMoon) February 13, 2023
In #HeartsUnion week I am proud to belong to the Writers Guild of Great Britain. I am also proud to belong to SWWJ the society of women writers and journalists, not a union in the strict sense, but a very supportive organisation for writers. @SWWJ @TheWritersGuild
— Mary Rensten (@MaryRensten) February 13, 2023
I’m a member of @TheWritersGuild because we freelance artists can only make our voices heard through collective action. The Guild makes conditions better for everyone so join and support your union! #HeartUnions
— Tim Stimpson (@tim_stimpson) February 13, 2023
Joined @EquityUK aged 8, then my beloved @TheWritersGuild, then the wonderful @WeAreTheMU. Love them all: gatherings of my peers and experienced officers for collective support and best practice. They reflect back at me my own value & the value of my work. #NotAlone #HeartUnions
— Toksvig 🌻 (@toksvig) February 14, 2023
Feb 13-19 is #HeartUnions week! 💙
The Government’s move toward anti-strike legislation is a very serious threat to trade unions & workers’ long-fought for rights on pay & working conditions!
Check out the @TheWritersGuild's stance & how to resist here: https://t.co/JXZ75mDajP
— Leon ✨👻🎮🏳️🌈 (@leonkillin) February 14, 2023
Happy Festival of St Unions Day/Week! Here are some of my reasons for to #HeartUnion and so too should you, sharing the love💘🧵1/10 https://t.co/EOt1stmzYd
— {Joe} (@joblejabel) February 14, 2023
I joined @TheWritersGuild VERY early in my writing career wondering 'Am I ready to be a union member??'
They've ALWAYS been there to advise, support and guide me.
Make 1 latté p/week at home instead of buying out. Subs sorted.
Simples.#HeartUnionsWeek #HeartUnions 💙✏️ pic.twitter.com/JrGxjrfKtv— Alun Saunders 🏴🏳️🌈🇪🇺 (@alunsaunders) February 14, 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
This week is #HeartUnions week. My union is @TheWritersGuild – a great source of support, information and advice for all #writers pic.twitter.com/Epse3UGYWr
— Arts On The Move (@artsonthemoveco) February 13, 2023
Happy #HeartUnions week! Big love today for the union I work for @TheWritersGuild and the union I'm a proud member of @unitetheunion. We're all better off for them!
— Eleanor Dawson (@scriptsdontburn) February 13, 2023
.@jackthorne 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." #HeartUnions pic.twitter.com/zXsxrzAy5N
— The Writers' Guild (@TheWritersGuild) February 13, 2023
Hattie Naylor “I have been a member of the WGGB for many years, and value immensely the work they undertake in supporting and championing writers and the opportunities and resources they provide."#HeartUnions pic.twitter.com/FQ4fyeSGz3
— The Writers' Guild (@TheWritersGuild) February 13, 2023
Hey sexy fellow writers, this week is #HeartUnions week, so let's all give some love to the @TheWritersGuild, for all the fantastic work they do for us. Like what, you ask? Well here's a rundown of 2022 for starters: https://t.co/AzeAwpQO1v pic.twitter.com/j3p5kC6IRe
— David Allison (@DavidHAllison) 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
This week is #HeartUnions week. I've been in a union my whole working life- teaching unions and now @TheWritersGuild & am thankful for their support and activism on behalf of workers as well as the community they provide. Shout out to my husband's union @bectu too.
— Siân Rowland (@Sian_Rowland) February 13, 2023
Stronger together. Everyone should be in a union. I'm in two, just to be greedy. The @TheWritersGuild in the UK is close to my heart. If you're earning and not paying back, you're helping the strong steal from the weak. Which isn't ideal, is it? #HeartUnionsWeek pic.twitter.com/YloAtAxozJ
— Ian Martin (@IanMartin) February 13, 2023
♥ your union. I love them so much, I'm in 2. @EquityUK @TheWritersGuild#HeartUnions
— Sue McCormick (@LadyBrainSueMcC) February 13, 2023
I want to send MASSIVE thanks to @TheWritersGuild for everything they do & helping me take the next step in my (late blooming) writing career. #HeartUnions #WritingCommunity #GoodNews #Lifebeginsat50
— Jo Clayton (@Storycycler) February 13, 2023
Alan Ayckbourn said “I belong to the Writers’ Guild because it is important that new young writers have a voice that represents them and looks after their interests. pic.twitter.com/38ePZPnu6P
— The Writers' Guild (@TheWritersGuild) February 13, 2023
As we're seeing today, workers seldom get their pay or working conditions improved without the support + strength of their union. Mine is @TheWritersGuild who have protected me throughout my career. We're all stronger together and united we will win. Join your union. #HeartUnions
— GailRenard (@GailRenard) February 13, 2023
@ucu @TheWritersGuild As a member of two rather different unions I want to express my love for unions this week! pic.twitter.com/HpSliJhTNA
— Andy Evans (@fade2dust) February 13, 2023
Laura Wade: "I’m glad the Writers’ Guild exists, and its existence should be celebrated. 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."#Heart Unions pic.twitter.com/DPJgkjeiT6
— The Writers' Guild (@TheWritersGuild) February 13, 2023
Feb 13-19 is #HeartUnions week!
I've always been a proud union member with @GoldsmithsSU, @unitetheunion, @unisontheunion, @ucu & now with @TheWritersGuild
WGGB delivered some incredible wins for writers in 2022 so take a moment to see why we💙unions: https://t.co/NIFLUkb62n pic.twitter.com/DvGzD7olqa
— Leon ✨👻🎮🏳️🌈 (@leonkillin) 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
This week is #HeartUnions week. If you're not a @TheWritersGuild member, I strongly recommend it for support, information, solidarity, great events and all the hard work it does on our behalf. If you don't have the necessary credits yet, they offer Candidate Membership.
❤️ WGGB pic.twitter.com/myZkTWyyt9
— Sarah Rutherford 🏴 (@TheSRutherford) February 13, 2023
I'm in the WGGB and NEU and with the threat of anti-strike legislation it's an important time to be a union member. The WGGB provide and promote opportunities for writers and work hard to secure recognition for writers working across all genres. @TheWritersGuild #HeartUnions
— Jan Ruppe-Rahman (@janruppe1) February 13, 2023
. @AvinShahUk said "I don't have an agent so the Writers' Guild has been a life saver. Its casework team in particular has empowered me to become confident in negotatiating my own contracts and protecting my IP. They’ve taught me how to assign financial value to my work. pic.twitter.com/frxwa3jMzB
— The Writers' Guild (@TheWritersGuild) February 13, 2023
If you’re a UK writer who’d like better working conditions and opportunities for all of us, and more connection with other writers, why not join @TheWritersGuild this #HeartUnionsWeek? We’re stronger together. pic.twitter.com/jVFengVzbf
— Ben SantaMaria (@bensantamaria) February 13, 2023
I firmly believe in the power of unions to improve working conditions for all, which is why I'm proud to be a member of @TheWritersGuild Hats off to Team WGGB and heartfelt thanks for all you do to support writers across the UK! #HeartUnions
— Alli Davies 💙 🧜🌊🧜🇪🇺 😷 (@AlliDavies1) February 13, 2023
I aspired to be a member of @TheWritersGuild when I was starting out and now I'm involved, I am continually left ashen by the things it has to fight for on our behalf. We would be nowhere without our union. #HeartUnions
— William Gallagher (@WGallagher) February 13, 2023
Sir Tom Stoppard said “The Writers’ Guild is a bright spot in a dark world, and I feel very grateful to it.”#HeartUnions pic.twitter.com/d6pOpoc45z
— 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