Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike news 2 2

[Bosco685]

On 7/25/2023 at 1:47 PM, Mystafo said:

Watch 'em, Bryan lol.

[sd2416]

On 7/23/2023 at 11:15 AM, Dr. Balls said:

A real d*ck move right here:

Universal Studios decide to trim the trees back to prevent picketers from having any shade while on strike. They, of course, deny it - but the picture pretty much tells the story. No one would ever trim a tree like that for maintenance purposes:

I'm the farthest thing from a hippie there is, but that's just a blatant disregard for nature. I mean, you have to be a cosmic level douchenozzle to do that to trees. I don't know how long stuff takes to grow in California, but in Montana - that's probably 10-15 years worth of growth they destroyed. Not to mention the other things that trees do like provide us with oxygen and improve air quality. I thought Californians were all about this type of stuff. I hope environmentalists crucify these guys over it.

MR. move 

[Dr Zen]

On 7/23/2023 at 11:15 AM, Dr. Balls said:

A real d*ck move right here:

Universal Studios decide to trim the trees back to prevent picketers from having any shade while on strike. They, of course, deny it - but the picture pretty much tells the story. No one would ever trim a tree like that for maintenance purposes:

I'm the farthest thing from a hippie there is, but that's just a blatant disregard for nature. I mean, you have to be a cosmic level douchenozzle to do that to trees. I don't know how long stuff takes to grow in California, but in Montana - that's probably 10-15 years worth of growth they destroyed. Not to mention the other things that trees do like provide us with oxygen and improve air quality. I thought Californians were all about this type of stuff. I hope environmentalists crucify these guys over it.

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/city-of-los-angeles-fines-universal-studios-250-in-connection-with-illegal-tree-cutting/

 

An investigation by the Los Angeles City Controller’s Office has found Universal Studios liable for illegally trimming trees on studio property, on a day when writers, actors and other unionized film industry workers were set to picket during their ongoing labor dispute. 

The studios will be fined $250 for not getting the correct permit to trim the trees, which is the normal citation for a first-time offense.  

Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia said that while city laws limit fines and penalties, if the studio were to illegally cut the trees again, the fine could go up to $1,000. 

•  

Trees are seen outside Universal Studios on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Burbank, Calif. The actors strike comes more than two months after screenwriters began striking in their bid to get better pay and working conditions. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

 

The City of Los Angeles is investigating after trees were cut near Universal Studios property on the weekend of July 15, 2023. (Los Angeles City Controller’s Office)

 

• A photo of trees next to Universal Studios (Los Angeles City Controller)
•  
• Trees are seen outside Universal Studios on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Burbank, Calif. The actors strike comes more than two months after screenwriters began striking in their bid to get better pay and working conditions. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)   The City of Los Angeles is investigating after trees were cut near Universal Studios property on the weekend of July 15, 2023. (Los Angeles City Controller’s Office)
   
  The City of Los Angeles is investigating after trees were cut near Universal Studios property on the weekend of July 15, 2023. (Los Angeles City Controller’s Office)
  MGK, Megan Fox involved in altercation at O.C. Fair

  The trees were cut sometime during the weekend of July 15-16 in an area where picketers are known to stage protests. 

  The timing of the tree-cutting scandal – dubbed “Treegate” by some – comes as protesters continue to picket outside in record-high temperatures.  

  Some strikers claim that the company was trying to stop the protests by removing the shade from the protest area, but NBCUniversal reported that it was simply “routine landscaping.” 

  According to Mejia, the trees are managed by the city and are “essential to providing Angelenos with significant environmental and public health benefits, especially during a heatwave.” 

  The L.A. Times reported that the city only has 12 inspectors to protect over 700,000 trees across the city.

 

 

[shadroch]

My town on Long Island cut all the trees along Jericho Turnpike just like that.  There were lots of complaints but the town insisted it was needed to keep the trees healthy.   They grew back, and it was surprisingly quick.

[Dr. Balls]

On 7/25/2023 at 8:46 AM, sd2416 said:

Damon has a production company with Affleck.  I would believe they know how it works.  

You are right, and they are giving up more to their employees than the other studios:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/20/business/media/ben-affleck-matt-damon-film-company.html

Pretty cool, actually. I retract my statement of Damon STFU, he can clearly talk all he wants about it!

[theCapraAegagrus]

On 7/25/2023 at 7:33 PM, Dr Zen said:

The studios will be fined $250 for not getting the correct permit to trim the trees, which is the normal citation for a first-time offense.  

Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia said that while city laws limit fines and penalties, if the studio were to illegally cut the trees again, the fine could go up to $1,000.

That'll show 'em!

[drotto]

I think that to get this settled both the top CEO's and the top actors need to give something back.  Both need to take cuts in their salaries and put measures in place to sure up the general members. Otherwise, the perception and likely reality is that any residual agreement and pay increases will always help those at the top the most.  If the actors getting millions, really believe what they are saying, show it. 

[Dr. Balls]

On 7/26/2023 at 6:22 AM, theCapraAegagrus said:

That'll show 'em!

$250 is what a No Parking Zone violation ticket cost in NYC back in 2008.

Edited July 26, 2023 by Dr. Balls

[Dr. Balls]

On 7/25/2023 at 6:00 PM, shadroch said:

My town on Long Island cut all the trees along Jericho Turnpike just like that.  There were lots of complaints but the town insisted it was needed to keep the trees healthy.   They grew back, and it was surprisingly quick.

I'll admit, I don't know how quickly stuff grows in those areas where there is low wind, heavy water saturation and humidity - that's a death sentence for foliage where I live.

[shadroch]

On 7/26/2023 at 7:25 AM, Dr. Balls said:

I'll admit, I don't know how quickly stuff grows in those areas where there is low wind, heavy water saturation and humidity - that's a death sentence for foliage where I live.

All I know is they looked dead after the trimming, and people were agitated, but they grew back. 

[Dr. Balls]

On 7/26/2023 at 8:33 AM, shadroch said:

All I know is they looked dead after the trimming, and people were agitated, but they grew back. 

That is a relief - it's a shock to see a tree look like that, especially with a comparison photo.

[shadroch]

On 7/26/2023 at 7:42 AM, Dr. Balls said:

That is a relief - it's a shock to see a tree look like that, especially with a comparison photo.

It was quite shocking and the locals were very upset. Jericho is six lanes wide( two are used for parking), and the trees provided cover on either side. I tried to find some photos of it, but my google skills suck.  It must have been around 2010-2015, and had some press coverage

[drotto]

Somehow, all these A-list stars showing up on the picket line comes across as them seeking press as opposed to them truly caring about striking.

[Bosco685]

On 7/27/2023 at 7:42 PM, drotto said:

Somehow, all these A-list stars showing up on the picket line comes across as them seeking press as opposed to them truly caring about striking.

If you assume such things, then that may be the perception.

[Bosco685]

 

[Cat]

On 7/29/2023 at 7:34 PM, Bosco685 said:

 

He's Aquaman! He got the water for free, obviously. Big whoop. 

[drotto]

On 7/29/2023 at 8:06 AM, Cat said:

He's Aquaman! He got the water for free, obviously. Big whoop. 

This just sounds weak.  Here you guys can go strike and sweat, I will live my life. Have some water.

[Bosco685]

 

[drotto]

On 7/29/2023 at 1:18 PM, Bosco685 said:

 

There has been a rumor from the start that the studios had been planning to use the strike to claim Force Majeure on some of these contracts. This would allow them to let the writers go and cancel many series that are in production, or have been greenlit, but they no longer want.

[CAHokie]

On 5/3/2023 at 9:47 PM, CAHokie said:

I support the writers though I know little about their pay particulars. There is another downside to this as well. The studios  may take this opportunity to cancel projects that were in the writing stages right now but haven’t actually started filming. I know of a few good projects that are at risk 

 

On 7/29/2023 at 2:58 PM, drotto said:

There has been a rumor from the start that the studios had been planning to use the strike to claim Force Majeure on some of these contracts. This would allow them to let the writers go and cancel many series that are in production, or have been greenlit, but they no longer want.

Yep, I posted about this on May 3rd.  Everyone knew it would happen eventually.