Movie stars sign letter calling for pay equality

LOS ANGELES — More than 3,300 people, including some Hollywood celebrities, have signed an open letter urging US entertainment industry to end gender pay bias.

The Action Network, an open platform that empowers individuals and groups to organize for progressive causes, said a total of 3,382 signatures were collected as of Saturday morning. The goal of the movement is to collect 6,400 signatures.

A recent study commissioned by IATSE Local 871, a union representing over 2,500 production employees found that significant gender-based wage disparities continue to exist among workers in behindthe-scenes occupations.

The study identified gender stereotyping, job segregation, and sexual harassment as factors contributing to gender pay inequality.

“It is time for real change. It is no longer acceptable for employees in traditionally female-dominated classifications — like Art Department Coordinators and Assistant Production Coordinators — to be stuck with low wages that oftentimes make it difficult to make ends meet, especially in expensive cities like Los Angeles,” the letter said.

Two-time Academy Award winner Jane Fonda, Crazy Rich Asians producer Nina

Jacobson, Love, Simon writer Isaac Aptaker and Black Panther cinematographer Rachel Morrison were among the celebrities having signed the letter.