The NBCUniversal property line is now a focal point for local distrust of Hollywood’s double whammy. On July 18, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA filed related complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that NBCUniversal engaged in “illegal conduct” by picketing the blocks of Lankershim Blvd. Walkway at west end of campus unduly blocked by ongoing on-campus studio construction. The filings allege that the studio ignored a request from the Los Angeles Police Department to erect concrete barriers for pedestrian safety.
Hours after The Hollywood Reporter first published the Labor Board’s complaints (the studio says it will cooperate with any inquiries from the agency), LA City Manager Kenneth Mejia — an outspoken progressive who holds the city office — tweeted, that government agencies are investigating – that his department “We are investigating the tree cutting that took place outside Universal Studios, where workers, writers and actors are exercising their right to picket.”
The WGA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a statement, SAG-AFTRA noted: “Suspiciously timed construction work that has forced pickets into streets without proper safety railings, and now tree trimming avoiding shade during a record heatwave, have forced SAG-AFTRA to determine that its members The actors’ union added that it is working with the Writers Guild, through the Labor Board and other means, “to remedy this egregious violation of our members’ rights.”
Mejia appeared to have responded to recent social media outcry over the stand of trees along a picket-lined section of Barham Blvd. to have reacted. Pruning is done in mid-summer when pedestrian shade is most needed. (This section of the NBCUniversal lot is on the northeast corner of campus; the soundstages of Warner Bros.’ own background play can be seen down the street, past the LA River.)
Referring to a statement to the media ahead of Mejia’s announcement, an NBCUniversal spokesman said: “We understand that the safety pruning of the ficus trees that we are doing on Barham Blvd. have performed. We did not intend for the protesters to be faced with unintended challenges. Working with licensed arborists, we have pruned these trees annually at this time of year to ensure the canopy is light ahead of the high wind season. We support the WGA and SAG’s right to demonstrate and are working to provide some shade coverage. We continue to be in open communication with local union leaders to work together at this time.”
Typically, tree felling along public sidewalks is performed by the Los Angeles Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Street Services. Shortly after this article was first published, LA City Councilwoman Nithya Raman declared Barham Blvd. heard. Sidewalk, tweeted that she had investigated the matter with BSS’s Urban Forestry Division and “determined that no tree felling permit had been issued for this site.” She also shared a bureau statement showing that a compliance notice had been issued to NBCUniversal and that the Enforcement Division will consider a subpoena or hearing. Before Raman joined the Los Angeles City Council, she herself demonstrated during the 2007 WGA walkout in support of her husband, television writer Vali Chandrasekaran (Modern Family, 30 Rock).
Jul 19 12:25am PST Added Raman and Bureau of Street Services comments.
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https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/los-angeles-city-auditor-investigates-tree-trimming-during-writers-actors-strike-1235539369/
