Students supporting writers strike heckle Warner Bros. Discovery CEO during speech.

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Booed During Commencement Speech

11,500 Writers on Strike

During his commencement speech at Boston University, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav was met with boos and disapproving chants from students in the crowd. The Writers Guild of America strike, which includes some Warner Bros. Discovery employees, has been ongoing since May 2nd, with negotiations for higher wages failing after six weeks.

As Zaslav took the stage, students chanted “Pay your writers, pay your writers,” highlighting the ongoing issue of fair compensation for writers in the entertainment industry.

CEO’s Pay and WGA Proposal

Zaslav, who received an honorary degree during his visit to BU, has previously expressed his opinion on the strike, stating that he is “not glad” that it is still ongoing. However, his 2022 pay of $246,573,481, which ranked him as the No. 1 overpaid CEO according to shareholder advocacy group As You Sow, has drawn criticism from those supporting the WGA strikers.

The WGA has proposed a $47 million ask from Warner Bros. Discovery, with negotiators across the industry asking for a total of $429 million. The near-unanimous vote of 97.85% in favor of the strike shows the widespread support for fair compensation for writers.

It’s time for companies to prioritize fair pay for their writers and address the ongoing issue of wage inequality in the entertainment industry.

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