Industrial unions have the greatest influence in the United States. From the presidential election to industrial stability, they play a role that cannot be ignored.
Presidential candidates woo unions, promising conditions - whether they will be followed or not is another matter.
The union supports the candidate, supports the platform, raises funds, etc... As an individual, the union provides you with basic security and welfare benefits, and you need to give your political opinions, that is, votes.
This is a very mature way of playing in the United States.
Like those unions in Hollywood, screenwriters go on strike all the time, and no one dares not to participate. It's the same reason.
As for Hong Kong, it is a weakened version of the trade union system.
When Hui Guanwen was the president of the Artists Association, he launched a Hong Kong-wide anti-piracy campaign; when Carina Lau was in trouble with the Black Society, Anita Mui led 500 celebrities to take to the streets to burn magazines and demonstrate in protest.
During the epidemic, Hong Kong's local industries were in difficulty. Chairman Louis Koo appealed to the government to provide some help. He himself also sought help from rich people, who took out the money and gave each member 9,000 yuan.
9,000 yuan is not much, but that’s what it means.
When something happens, the association can express certain rights demands and claims on behalf of the whole or individual, such as negotiating with government agencies, conducting legal aid, litigation, etc.
Of course, you can also go to the streets to demonstrate.
This is the role of the Hong Kong Film Association. Big stars, directors, and bosses all hold important positions in the association without exception.
Similarly, ordinary members also have the right to question and object, but they have never used it before.
Because deep down it’s still a gang tradition. The eldest brother takes care of the younger brother, and the younger brother takes care of Ma Tsai. The older brother just says, and the younger brother goes to fight for his life. What do you object to?
But now it's used.
In short, once these people took to the streets, every aspect of Hong Kong's film and television industry was in trouble.
They didn't want to be seen in public and talk on the street, so they invited several representatives into the house to talk in detail. Almost all the top leaders of the 13 Association came.
Other bosses such as Jiang Zhiqiang and Zhang Jiazhen arrived one after another.
We are all acquaintances, and at first I tried to speak emotionally, but found that it didn't work that well.
"If you have any ideas, just tell us. We have been here for decades. Why do you want to go out on the streets in such a big way? If you tell us, it will bring shame on Hong Kong Island."
"So what if it's decades? Are you raising me?"
"We don't even have food to eat, so why do you care if you are embarrassed or not? You are making money and enjoying life in the mainland, but who has ever cared about us?"
"It's so heartless. When every director starts a film, we first choose our own people, followed by mainland employees. In recent years, Hong Kong films have been depressed and it has been difficult for everyone. Why do we go north to open up the market? Isn't it to revitalize Hong Kong films?
Let you all have food to eat?"
"You were saying these words a few years ago, and are you still telling me now?"
"There are 5,000 brothers in Hong Kong. How many do you take care of? Are there 500 people? You said you would take everyone to dinner, why don't you choose your own confidants first? When will it be our turn?"
"I'm looking at your mother! I haven't worked in four years and I've never been to the mainland!"
When Mars and his gang took to the streets, they were originally just standing in line, showing their loyalty, and making gestures. But as they talked, they got really angry and furious.
When I think about it, this is indeed what happened!
He kept saying that he would take everyone to dinner, but how many did he bring? Most of the brothers are still struggling in Hong Kong. Some have changed careers, and some are working part-time. Otherwise, how can they survive?
"We have to do it step by step. The mainland is such a big market, and we are new to it and have no experience."
Zhang Jiazhen was still trying to persuade, saying: "Look at the box office of "Havoc in Heaven" at the beginning of the year, which was over 1 billion. It didn't rely on 99. This is our own work, and it broke 1 billion for the first time.
Now the situation is just right. We have penetrated into the market and established a firm foothold. The next step is to strengthen our power. We are all brothers, how could we forget you?"
Jiang Zhiqiang also said: "Honestly speaking, 99 has invaded Hong Kong too deeply in recent years, and we are decoupling from it. Some time ago, you also know that they smeared, slandered, and excluded us. It took a lot of effort to get them to stop, but you made trouble again?
Everyone, if you persist, we will succeed soon, and we must take the overall situation into consideration!"
It's fine if I don't say it, but I'll be even more angry when I say it.
Martian grabbed the brother in the wheelchair, his face was full of anger, and he said loudly: "Look at him, he was a dragon and tiger martial artist when he was young, and his legs were broken. He gave him thousands of dollars back then, thousands of dollars!"
And that one, who was burned by the fire like a ghost, is now picking up rubbish everywhere. Not to mention normal times, you don’t come to see me during the holidays, wow, you don’t even bother to show off?
Now that Boss Yu has given you the opportunity to do something in your name, you can get tens of thousands of dollars. What are you, Chairman Diao and Director Diao, doing?
Are you embarrassed to tell us the big picture now?
It’s your mother’s overall situation, whoever gives us food to eat is the overall situation!”
Jiang Zhiqiang started to feel calm, and his defenses were broken as he talked. The two sides argued in various ways, and they argued for a long time without any clue. Jiang Zhiqiang rubbed his temples and tried to maintain order.
"Okay, okay, be quiet!"
"You are making trouble because you are just trying to negotiate terms. Why don't you say it bluntly, what do you want?"
"..."
After saying this, everyone calmed down and looked at each other. Martian spoke first: "We hung out with you when we were young, and we all enjoyed the scenery together. There is nothing to talk about.
We are all rough people who don't know how to save money. We used to work hard for you, but now the old, weak, sick and disabled are ignored. You are an association and claim to be thinking of everyone.
Can!
If you set up a fund to provide pension funds to these brothers who have lost their limbs and are living in difficulty, I will thank God!"
"..."
The corners of Zhang Jiazhen's mouth twitched and he wanted to curse.
Providing benefits to you is a matter of the government and has nothing to do with us? But he can't talk about it because he just said that he is for everyone's better life. Isn't this a slap in the face?
Before he could respond, a screenwriter said again: "Everyone knows that Hong Kong screenwriters have a poor status! We have no other requirements. We just need to increase the remuneration and don't owe us any money!"
Immediately afterwards, the editors, lighting, art and other behind-the-scenes staff also spoke out, expressing their desire to improve their salaries, add retirement benefits, and distribute resources equitably. It cannot always be the boss who leads his cronies to make money...
As mentioned above, the Hong Kong Film and Television Association is half-baked and wants to learn from the United States, but at its core it is still a gangster. For example, the Hollywood Screen Actors Guild collects membership fees from members every year and provides you with basic protections, including:
The minimum income standard means that the film studio cannot lower the price at will, and neither can the extras;
Maximum working hours, overtime pay will be required for work exceeding normal working hours;
The working environment, the eating environment, the number of meals per day, and you won’t go hungry because the shooting time is too long;
Provide actors with basic insurance and pensions, etc...
At the end of the day, it's all about money.
This was never done when Hong Kong films were rich, let alone now?