The recent WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have brought attention to the issue of scabbing in Hollywood, where labor is fulfilled during a strike either by union members crossing the picket line or by hiring third-party replacements. However, the popular animated series South Park explored this topic back in 2018 during Season 22. In an episode titled “Unfulfilled,” the show took on Amazon and its labor strike.
In the episode, an accident occurs at the South Park Amazon Fulfillment Center, and the company attributes it to human error, putting the blame on its employees. Fed up with poor working conditions and low wages, the workers decide to go on strike. Enter a South-Park-afied Jeff Bezos, portrayed as an omniscient being, who uses incentives and fear to manipulate the situation. He convinces people to break the strike and replaces the strikers with parasitic zombie mall employees.
The episode humorously highlights how corporations find ways to entice and manipulate people into breaking strikes. They may offer enticing deals to third-party replacements or create fear and uncertainty among striking workers. However, as the episode demonstrates, scabbing only perpetuates poor working conditions and unfair wages.
South Park’s satire shows that strikes can only succeed when there’s solidarity and integrity among the workers. In the show, unity is achieved when the town unites to support the strikers, leading to the departure of Jeff Bezos and a victorious end to the strike. While South Park’s take is humorous, it drives home the point that standing together and fortifying the strike is crucial for workers to achieve favorable outcomes and demand livable working conditions in the multi-billion dollar Hollywood industry.
As the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes continue, it’s essential to remember the lessons presented by South Park. With integrity and solidarity, workers can challenge major corporations, fight for their rights, and make a significant impact in the industry. The strikes can lead to positive changes, but only if everyone stands united and unwavering in their demands for fair treatment and better working conditions in Hollywood.
