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Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021
Volume 157 No. 28 SERVING SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1934
WWW.SJSUNEWS.COM/SPARTAN_DAILY
Cinema workers demand reform Film production union strike averted, settlement proposed
ILLUSTRATION BY BIANCA RADER
By Saumya Monga STAFF WRITER
You work probably 70 hours a week. You work right into your Saturday to sometimes 4 a.m. in the morning and then you’re expected to come right back to work at 5 a.m. on Monday. I don’t really have much freedom outside of [work].
Some San Jose State film production community members say they’re eager to see improved working wages and conditions in the industry, which was settled in an agreement Saturday between an international film production union and the U.S. top entertainment trade association. Shannon Bringham 2015 SJSU alumna The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, a 128-year-old union, and the Alliance of reached a three-year tentative agreement 54 hours, 10-hour daily rest periods, Motion Pictures and Television Producers that includes: weekend rest periods of meal breaks, living wages for all workers
and significant compensation increases. The Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers, a trade association that represents major employers and producers including Warner Bros, Netflix, Apple, Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney Studios and Amazon, negotiated with the film production union for months after their contract ended on July 31. Saturday’s agreement came after the union initiated a nationwide strike with about 99% of its members ready to participate, which would have led to more than 60,000 UNION | Page 2
Student relief program opens on-campus office By Christina Casillas & Estevan Lopez NEWS EDITOR & STAFF WRITER
A San Jose State program for basic student needs partially opened its first centralized office in Clark Hall Room 140 in the past month. SJSU Cares, which operates under the university’s division of student affairs, provides food, housing, mental health, medical and emergency assistance to students, according to its webpage. Catherine Voss Plaxton, associate vice president of health, wellness and student services, said the SJSU Cares staff addresses basic needs through case appointments, follow ups and office hours in the group’s new location. The office in Clark Hall is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. “[The program provides] a range of basic needs resources, such as educational materials and workshops, direct student aid for unforeseen emergencies and interactions with service partners will be provided
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INFOGRAPHIC BY BRYANNA BARTLETT; SOURCE: SJSU CARES WEBPAGE
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NEWS
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THURSDAY, OCT. 21, 2021
UNION Continued from page 1 crew members going on strike Monday, according to a Saturday news release by International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. The strike was averted after the agreement was made Saturday. The union represents 150,000 members, with only about 60,000 authorized to vote, working in the film production industry including script supervisors, technicians and makeup artists, according to its website. The 60,000 union members, who’re film or TV production workers, are the only members authorized to vote because they fall under the agreement, according to the Saturday news release. Matthew Loeb, the union’s international president, said the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees members were prepared to withhold their labor and go on strike until the problems regarding their quality of life were addressed in the new agreement. “We went toe to toe with some of the richest and most powerful entertainment and tech companies in the world, and we have now reached an agreement with the [Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers] that meets our members’ needs,” Loeb stated in the Saturday news release. Kirsten Brandt, SJSU assistant film and theatre professor, said the workers’ demands were simple: fair pay and working conditions. “I just hope to see people being able to live full lives. There are working standards, that’s why we have unions to fight for what’s right and what’s fair,” Brandt said. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees voted in majority to strike after a discussion fell apart between the union and the trade association on Sept. 20 because workplace issues weren’t being addressed in the new agreement terms,
INFOGRAPHIC BY SAUMYA MONGA; SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE OF THEATRICAL STAGE EMPLOYEES WEBSITE
according to an Oct. 7 AP News article. Shannon Bringham, a 2015 SJSU alumna who works as a Second Camera Assistant in California, said the working conditions in the film production industry are difficult. “You work probably 70 hours a week. You work right into your Saturday to sometimes 4 a.m. in the morning and then you’re expected to come right back to work at 5 a.m. on Monday,” Bringham said “I don’t really have much freedom outside of [work].” Many students say they’re nervous about entering an industry with such extreme working conditions.
AID Continued from page 1 from the SJSU Cares space,” Voss Plaxton said in an email. Communications senior Steven Nguyen reached out to SJSU Cares for information about COVID-19 grants and said not many students know about the resources SJSU Cares offers. “It’s a 50/50 situation where some people know [about SJSU Cares] and some don’t,” Nguyen said. Voss Plaxton said
Matt Hewitt, radio, TV and film senior, said there’s general anxiety about entering the workforce but it can be especially difficult for those entering the film industry. “Everyone feels some anxiety entering film/video production just like any workforce and it can be especially daunting with the working conditions that are considered normal,” Hewitt said. “The union strikes personally make me excited because I think worker solidarity makes for a better, more open workforce that will make people feel less isolated.” Normal working conditions in the industry include 12-14 hour working days, no lunch breaks
she expects the new location will allow easier access to the program’s resources compared to when the SJSU Cares team worked at separate locations across campus. “The new suite in Clark Hall is highly visible to students attending classes, using the computer lab, visiting EOP or other adjacent student services offices,” she said. “I expect this move will generate visibility for SJSU Cares services and the ability to reach more students who need assistance.” Voss Plaxton said the new location will operate at
and working on weekends, according to an Oct. 8 New York Times article. Bringham said many crew members work excessive hours, even causing them to fall asleep at the wheel driving home from set. “The demands and how hard people are working behind the scenes to the hours that people are working [to] driving home at night unsafely, I think [people] definitely need to be more aware,” Bringham said. She said the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers wants film crew members to experience these extreme working demands.
STR ILLU N ATIO BY B A IANC R AD ER
full capacity once student assistants are onboarded, who she anticipates to hire by the end of October. She also said the office is expanding by adding two basic needs managers and two case managers. “The new case managers will grow student outreach and holistic support,” Voss Plaxton said. SJSU Cares also operates the Spartan Food Pantry, which is open to registered students experiencing food insec insecurity or hunger with a gross annual income in of $30,268 or less, according to the Spartan Food Pantry webpage. The Spartan Food Pantry is lo located in the Student Union and is open Monday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday Thursda from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., according a to the Spartan Food Pantry webpage. Public relations junior Autumn Blue said she learned about SJSU Cares through her ASPIRE program advisor to when she planned to return r San Jose. program is a The ASPIRE progr federally-funded SJSU program underrepresented that assists underrep class students with financial aid, a and scheduling and academic academ career advising, according to the SJSU ASPIRE webpage. Blue said she was able to get help applying for CalFresh throug through SJSU Cares, which is partnered w with the Second Harvest of Silicon Vall Valley food bank to provide application assistance assis to students in Santa Clara and San Sa Mateo counties, according to the SJSU SJS Cares webpage. “I was going inde independent from my parents,” Blue said. “I was trying to find any way to help me financially financia and CalFresh is great for [s [students] who are independent independ and can use a bit of help with groceries.’’ groceries.’ The C CalFresh program is a
“They also want to create walking meals which means that we don’t get to stop at six hours for a lunch break. And that would also take away a meal penalty so like on a job if they don’t break [us] at six hours, then you start accruing meal penalties,” Bringham said. Producers pay meal penalties when they fail to give employees lunch breaks after six hours of work but the penalties are cheaper than giving workers lunch breaks, according to the New York Times article. Hewitt said many film crew members aren’t even paid living wages. “Many sets pay a day rate for the entire day, which means you can get paid for a full day even [if] you wrap early but it also runs the risk of getting underpaid when you work excessive hours, to the point many film workers can end up making below minimum wage,” Hewitt said. Film production crew members usually make around $39,400 a year, according to a data report by ZipRecruiter, an online employment platform. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees members will be briefed by their local leaders about full details and language of the tentative agreement within the week, according to the Saturday union news release. Afterward, the members will vote by casting ballots, according to the news release. Kirsten Brandt said she wishes audiences were more aware of the workload that happens behind the scenes when they watch shows and movies on streaming services. “I don’t know if you sit and watch credits but all those credits are human beings that have jobs and each one of those jobs is instrumental to the success of that show. It’s not just the featured actor or the director. It’s the unseen folk,” Brandt said.
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The new suite in Clark Hall is highly visible to students attending classes, using the computer lab, visiting EOP or other adjacent student services offices. I expect this move will generate visibility for SJSU Cares services and the ability to reach more students who need assistance. Catherine Voss Plaxton
associate vice president of health, wellness and student services
state-supervised food program that provides monthly food aid to those who’re low income, according to the California Department of Social Services website. Voss Plaxton said while the new office space was funded by SJSU investments and California State University grants, SJSU Cares and the Spartan Food Pantry are partially student-run and she encourages student involvement. “I and the SJSU Cares team welcome feedback and co-design participation on the range of basic needs services from all students including those affiliated with the Student Homeless Alliance,” she said. Steven Nguyen said he likes SJSU Cares not only because of the aid the program provides to students but because of the people who work for the program. “I like the SJSU Cares because [it has] nice people and people who like to help others,” Nguyen said. “[They’re] great souls and great human beings.”
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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THURSDAY, OCT. 21, 2021
3
ESTEVAN’S EATS
Korean corn dog is beefy, cheesy heaven on a stick By Estevan Lopez STAFF WRITER
others waiting to get their hands on the cheesy, tasty treats. The half and half instantly caught my eye, which has half mozzarella cheese filling, and to satisfy my meat cravings, a beef hot dog toward the bottom of the corn dog. The moment I took my first mouth-watering bite, the stretch of the cheese could’ve gone for a mile if I hadn’t pulled it apart myself. Ordering the food was simple, quick and easy as I was greeted and given a number to wait to be called upon. For the amount of people at the shack, service was speedy as the total wait time for my order was about five minutes. The first item I had to try was the matcha green milk tea and it did not disappoint. With a sweet creamy texture and hints of matcha, this drink hit the spot and I won’t forget to mention the boba that added a nice sweet chewy substance I never knew I needed. With my drink cravings ESTEVAN LOPEZ | SPARTAN DAILY satisfied, my eyes and mouth Spicy mayo gets drizzled atop a potato-layered Korean corn dog next to other Bazak Bazak Rice Hot Dog specialties grew with hunger but first waiting to be devoured. The shack is located inside H Mart San Jose, a Korean supermarket at 1710 Oakland Road.
Have you ever been stuck picking between mozzarella sticks or a fresh corn dog? Well look no further because Bazak Bazak Rice Hot Dog is a perfect spot to satisfy your beef and cheesy cravings. Korean corn dogs, also known as gamja hot dogs, are popular Korean street foods commonly sold at night markets in Seoul, South Korea and it’s finally gaining popularity in the U.S. But these aren’t your regular sausages on sticks. The mouth watering snack is usually made of a combination of cheese and sausage, then coated to crisp perfection in sweet flour batter and has toppings stacked on them. Bazak Bazak Rice Hot Dog is located in the corner entrance of H Mart San Jose, a Korean supermarket located at 1710 Oakland Road. The obscure shack provides various selection of the non-typical dogs. Options range from all-beef corn dogs to a popular specialty: squid ink corn dogs, which resemble the look of a squid and have a dark toned batter. The moment I took my first When it came to milk teas, the selection was matcha mouth-watering bite, the stretch green milk tea and brown of the cheese could’ve gone for sugar milk tea. a mile if I hadn’t pulled it apart Dessert selections offered myself. various mochi flavored donuts including strawberry, chocolate, Oreo, black sesame, vanilla and matcha. As I approached the line, I had to add my selection heat I was looking for and lit a huge dinner rush followed. of toppings. up my taste buds with fire at I waited patiently yet I added cajun spice to my the first bite. starving behind a line of corn dog, which brought the Next, I obviously had
CLASSIFIEDS CROSSWORD PUZZLE
to cover my corn dog with spicy mayonnaise, one of my favorite sauces. Their spicy mayonnaise had an extra kick of flavor and I loved it. Finally, I had to sprinkle some Parmesan cheese because it’s simply what I deserve. As I took my first bite into my corn dog, the crunchiness of the fried outer layer set the tone as the inside of the corn dog was filled with fresh melted mozzarella cheese all combined with the spicy mayonnaise and Cajun spice.
With every bite, my fried food and cheese craving was satisfied; but just when I thought it couldn’t get better, I reached the second half of this mozzarella masterpiece and was rewarded with a beef hot dog. Finally, I had to satisfy my sweet tooth with a mochi donut with a topping that I couldn’t pass down: chocolate Oreo. As I finished up my corn dog I instantly reached for my chocolate Oreo-topped mochi donut and was amazed
SUDOKU PUZZLE Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.
with the soft, fluffy and chewy textures all in one. Not only was food ridiculously delicious but the prices were college-student affordable, ranging from $4.50 to $5.99, depending if you chose to put potatoes on your corn dog or not. If I had one complaint, it would be that the devouring of my food didn’t last long enough.
Follow Estevan on Twitter @9estevan
JOKIN’ AROUND “Why do fathers take an extra pair of socks when they go golfing?” “In case they get a hole in one!”
SOLUTIONS
ACROSS 1. Backside 5. A habit worn by clerics 10. Skilled 14. Prohibits 15. Soup server 16. Tall woody plant 17. Alteration 19. A dog wags one 20. Not near 21. Roasters 22. Impudent 23. Latticework 25. Long stories 27. Hankering 28. Breathing devices for swimming 31. Bongos 34. Comportments 35. Tear 36. Sharpen 37. A Eurasian aromatic herb 38. City in Peru 39. American Dental Association 40. Journeys 41. Leaky 42. Sparrow hawks 44. G 45. A sharp curve 46. Cyber-terrorists
50. Hoax 52. Characteristic 54. 7 in Roman numerals 55. Lantern 56. Blushing 58. Curved molding 59. Puke 60. Constellation bear 61. Walk in water 62. Not full 63. One who colors cloth DOWN 1. To the rear 2. Radiolocation 3. Type of drum 4. Clairvoyant’s gift 5. A ketone in Vitamin B2 6. Charges per unit 7. Norse god 8. Proximity 9. Cognizance 10. Assault 11. A small restaurant 12. Wreaths 13. Evasive 18. Metalwares 22. Knights 24. An acute inflammatory disease 26. Small horse
28. Settles 29. Not stiff 30. Neuter 31. East Indian tree 32. Was a passenger 33. Brazen 34. Whirlpool 37. Journey 38. Scallion 40. Stepped 41. Religious splinter groups 43. A small hairpiece 44. Merriment 46. Ritual 47. Each and all 48. Dentist’s direction 49. Indian instrument 50. Current 51. Indian music 53. Backside 56. Night before 57. Rechewed food
Oct. 19
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SPORTS
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THURSDAY, OCT. 21, 2021
OPINION
Ex-head coach’s emails uncover true character By Estevan Lopez STAFF WRITER
Jon Gruden, former NFL Las Vegas Raiders head coach, resigned on Oct. 11 after years of racist, misogynistic and anti-gay emails were exposed. His resignation was necessary given his poor treatment of colleagues and NFL players but why did it take this long for these emails to come to light? Gruden coached the Oakland Raiders from 1998-2001, long before the team moved to its new Las Vegas stadium on Jan. 22, according to an Oct. 11 ESPN article. He also worked as a sports analyst on Monday Night Football, a live TV broadcast for ESPN of weekly NFL games, from 2009-18, during which many of his controversial emails were sent, according to the ESPN article. In 2018, Gruden returned for a 10-year record deal for $100 million as the Las Vegas Raiders’ head coach, according to the same article. The Raiders believed Gruden would recapture his glory days from the early 2000s. Thinking a white man is a good fit for head coach after priding themselves as an inclusive and diverse team, is ironic. In an Oct. 11 statement, Gruden said “Thank you to all the players, coaches, staff and fans of Raider Nation. I’m sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone.” While Gruden praised a healthy locker room environment to his players, he was creating the opposite. His prejudiced comments were discovered during the NFL’s investigation into workplace misconduct with the Washington Football Team, where NFL senior league executives reviewed more than 650,000 emails, according to an Oct. 11 ESPN article. Gruden made racist remarks in an email to Bruce Allen, then the president of the Washington Football Team, about NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith, referring to the size of his lips as “rubber lips” and “lips the size of michelin tires,” according to the Oct. 11 ESPN article. Allen served as the Washington Football Team’s president for seven years until he left in 2018. Gruden’s excuse was that he routinely used the term “rubber lips” to “refer to a guy I catch lying,” according to the Oct. 11 ESPN article. Regardless of what Gruden says, there’s no excuse for making such a comment. As for his remarks about LGBTQ+
ILLUSTRATION BY BIANCA RADER
NFL players, it doesn’t get any better. Gruden sent another email to Allen saying NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell shouldn’t have pressured former St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher to draft “queers,” referring to former defensive end Michael Sam, an openly gay player drafted in 2014, according to the Oct. 11 ESPN article.
Gruden’s actions are unjustifiable. For him to be in a position where he has to motivate and mentor players is a slap in the face to past and current minority team members. Sam was the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL, according to a June 22 Washington Post article. The fact that all these exchanges between Gruden and Allen remained buried for years should raise red flags as to what other secrets or wrongdoings occurred between them and what else has been pushed under the rug. With the Raiders’ rich history of
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inclusivity, it is not just a step in the wrong direction, it’s disgraceful to even consider Gruden a part of the team. In 1989, the Raiders hired Art Shell, the first Black head coach in the NFL league. In 1968, Eldridge Dickey became the first Black quarterback to be selected in the first round of a professional football draft for the Raiders. Tom Flores, the first Latino head coach in NFL history and future Hall of Famer, led the Raiders to victories in Super Bowl XV and XVIII. Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib came out as the first active openly gay NFL player in the 2021 off-season. “I just think that representation and visibility are so important,” Nassib told Yahoo Sports in its June 21 article. “I actually hope that one day, videos like this and the whole coming out process are not necessary, but until then I will do my best to cultivate a culture that’s accepting and compassionate.” Gruden’s actions are unjustifiable. For him to be in a position where he has to motivate and mentor players is a slap in the face to past and current minority team members. Gruden’s actions show the uphill battle minority NFL players including Nassib still face. When Nassib heard the news of Gruden’s hateful exchanges, he requested time off from the team,
STAFF WRITERS AMANI HAMED EVAN REINHARDT CHRISTOPHER NGUYEN SAUMYA MONGA DON LE CHRISTINE STEVENS ESTEVAN LOPEZ SANDRA SANTOS-CRUZ PRODUCTION CHIEF MIKE CORPOS NEWS ADVISER RICHARD CRAIG
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according to an Oct. 11 NBC Sports article. In the same article, the Raiders general manager Mike Mayock told NBC Sports that “the team supports Nassib.” The Raiders have work to do to mend the team’s spirits and to stand against racism and support LGBTQ+ players. Team owner Mark Davis has moved in a different direction with Gruden’s resignation and promoted Rich Bisaccia, who will serve as interim head coach, according to an Oct. 13 Associated Press News article. The NFL hasn’t given enough effort to be more inclusive and diverse, from allowing Michael Sam to be judged to letting former 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick be blackballed by team owners because of his protests against U.S. police brutality. As much of a shock it may come to the Raiders community, people should recognize Gruden’s exit as an opportunity to actually become a truly inclusive and safe team.
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