As in L.A., no one has reliable numbers, but Crain's NY Business estimates that thousands of the area's 78,000 production workers are out of work because of the WGA walkout. That's in addition to related businesses, like caterers and prop houses. The city is feeling the work stoppage a lot more than in previous strikes because of an increase in TV location shoots (“30 Rock” and “Law & Order,” among others). What’s not examined, however, is the stepped-up activity in the months leading up to the strike when production workers no doubt made more money than usual. That makes the estimated losses being bandied about somewhat misleading.
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