More than 30 years ago, 'The Simpsons' addressed workers' rights in the iconic 1993 episode 'Last Exit to Springfield.' Fast forward to the present day, the show is revisiting the theme of unions in the upcoming episode 'Night of the Living Wage.' The episode's writer, who also served as a Writers Guild strike captain during last year's strike, drew inspiration from the challenges faced by workers in the modern gig economy.
In 'Last Exit to Springfield,' Homer led a strike to protect the workers' dental plan at the nuclear power plant. This time, Marge takes center stage as she joins a food delivery app called 'GimmeChow' to cover a hefty veterinarian bill. However, she soon discovers that the workers are overworked and their overtime pay is being withheld, prompting her to organize a union.
