USA: LOS ANGELES MAYOR WARNS THAT PROSPECTIVE STRIKE BY HOLLYWOOD WRITERS AND ACTORS COULD COST CITY UP TO 7 BILLION DOLLARS IN INCOME

Record ID: 391222

  • Title: USA: LOS ANGELES MAYOR WARNS THAT PROSPECTIVE STRIKE BY HOLLYWOOD WRITERS AND ACTORS COULD COST CITY UP TO 7 BILLION DOLLARS IN INCOME
  • Date: 19th April 2001
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (FILE) (REUTERS) SCU (SOUNDBITE) (English) WGA PRESIDENT JOHN WELLS SAYING: "I think everyone has gotten serious about it. We've looked at each other and realized that the writers guild and the screen actors guild have some very serious issues that need addressed. The companies have said that they're not sure what they are going to give us but they
  • Embargoed: 4th May 2001 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA & NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES & VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Entertainment,General,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA45G44J5WGWRM4KKTMETYJJXRB
  • Story Text: Warning that Los Angeles could be plunged into recession, Mayor Richard Riordan issued a study on Thursday (April 19) showing a prolonged strike by Hollywood writers and actors would cost the city as many as 81,900 jobs and up to $7 billion in income.
    The study issued on Thursday said a work stoppage lasting five months -- the duration of the last strike by the Writers Guild of America -- would drive the Los Angeles jobless rate to nearly 7 percent from its current 4.8 percent level.
    "The movie industry is by far the most important industry in Los Angeles, and that matter for the whole country as we export so much of our product and it's going to be horrible, horrible for Los Angeles and for the country if the screen actors or the writers go out on strike" Los Angeles mayor Richard Riordan said.
    The study, conducted at the mayor's request by the Milken Institute think tank, was released as the Writers Guild met with Hollywood producers for a third day in their latest round of contract talks.
    The two actors unions -- the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Radio & Television Artists -- have tentatively set May 10 as the start date for their talks.
    Reps for the groups are set to meet this weekend to approve the two unions' first proposal, amid expectations they will ask for similar residual hikes to those sought by the WGA.
    Concerns have been escalating for months that Hollywood is headed for back-to-back strikes by screenwriters and actors when their respective contracts expire May 1 and June 30. Such a work stoppage would bring film and television production to a virtual standstill.
    A previous round of talks between writers and studios, represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture Television Producers, failed to clinch a deal after six weeks of intense bargaining. With two weeks to go before the WGA contract lapses, the two sides were roughly $100 million apart as they reopened negotiations under a news blackout on Tuesday (April 17).
    Members of the screen actors guild seem split over whether or not the strike is a good idea.
    "I hope it doesn't last for too long but it's an important thing to happen," said actress Kate Winslet at the recent SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards.
    However, actor/producer Warren Beatty had a different take on suggestions of an upcoming strike, "I think it'll be very negative for the city, the business, for the companies, for the actors, writers, directors. It's not good at all. I don't think there is anything to be gained from a strike."
    In addition to the troubles at SAG, WGA's momentum has been hampered by recent announcements from leaders of Teamsters Local 399 and the Intl. Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees that their unions may withhold support of WGA and SAG picket lines.
    ENDS
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