Greg Berlanti Sets $800,000 for Strike Relief Fund Benefitting Employees, Below-the-Line Workers

variety.com:

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer Prolific showrunner Greg Berlanti is donating nearly $1 million to current and former employees affected by Hollywood’s ongoing labor strikes and urging “other industry workers in a fortunate enough situation” to do the same.

An email from the “Love, Simon” director circulated Friday afternoon and was addressed to any Berlanti staffer in recent years who needs immediate financial assistance over work stoppages from the ongoing Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes. “I realize not knowing when your job might return creates a significant financial and emotional hardship for many,” he wrote in message obtained by Variety. “It is very important to me, and everyone at Berlanti Productions, that we are doing all that we can to help you during this moment.” Berlanti has earmarked $500,000 for his employees, paying out in increments of $500 and $1,500.

Additionally, he has donated $300,000 to the Motion Picture and Television Fund and the Entertainment Community Fund. The WGA strike has now dragged out for over four months. “I am a proud member of the WGA and I support a fair deal that continues to provide sustainable lifelong careers for all of the incredible talent just entering this business.

I also know how vulnerable so many are right now, and I want to make sure we are doing all we can to help others,” wrote Berlanti. “If you have any other ideas of how we can help or be of service to you or those in our production families that are most vulnerable during this time, please let us know and we will do our best.