Hollywood Strikes Will Hurt Georgia

Atlanta

Georgia has become a hot spot for movie and television production, with its favorable tax incentives and geographic diversity. Last month, research showed that the Peach State has the fastest-growing film industry in the nation. But the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strikes are rocking the entertainment industry. As Georgia’s labor commissioner, I can tell you that the effects on my state’s labor force and economy could be devastating.

Georgia is a right-to-work state. That means it neither embraces unions nor discriminates against employees who choose not to join one. We believe in and even foster small-business ownership. Because of that, businesses have been moving here from unionized states. We have been more than happy to provide incentives for the film industry to work in Georgia, but we won’t let their unions jeopardize our labor force.

From cosmetology to hospitality to transportation, several industries that rely on movie and television production in Georgia have been left without work by the strikes, causing even more uncertainty for many Georgia households already hurting from record inflation under President Biden.

The strikes and union activity are frustrating, but I can’t blame the film industry alone. Mr. Biden has worked hard to foster a pro-union message that emboldens these groups. Throughout his tenure he has proudly claimed to be the “most pro-union president in history.” He still stands by these unions, despite knowing how these strikes are damaging Georgia.

He recently remarked to a crowd in Philadelphia that Republicans are “coming for your jobs.” To that I ask: What jobs will there be when the unions have taken control of U.S. businesses? When forced dues and decreased competitiveness destroy America’s job market, will we look back and be thankful for the union activists in the White House?

Since I moved to Georgia three decades ago, I’ve seen firsthand how right-to-work culture and business laws have made it a great state to do business. If states like California and Massachusetts want to let unions run things, fine. But I can’t sit idly by and let Mr. Biden’s unions devastate our state’s labor force. Georgians won’t forget this.

Mr. Thompson is Georgia’s labor commissioner.