Hollywood Writers and Actors Guilds Claim "NBCUniversal Interfering with Strike"

Major Unions Say "Remove Barriers and Prune Tree Branches"
NBC States "Complying with Labor Laws... Understanding Protesters' Concerns"

In Hollywood, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild?American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA, hereinafter referred to as the actors' union), who are currently on a joint strike, have criticized NBCUniversal for interfering with their protests.

According to the local entertainment media The Hollywood Reporter on the 18th (local time), the writers' union and actors' union recently filed a grievance with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), claiming that NBCUniversal removed the public sidewalk in front of the Los Angeles (LA) studio parking lot, infringing on the unions' right to protest.

[Photo by AP·Yonhap News]

In a document submitted to the NLRB, the writers' union stated, "Two protesters were hit by cars on a street with heavy vehicle traffic," and "Although the Los Angeles Police Department recommended installing a wall with railings for safety, NBCUniversal refused." They pointed out that "this is an illegal act that obstructs workers' rights to participate in protests during a lawful strike."

NBCUniversal has denied engaging in protest interference. In a statement, NBCUniversal said, "We understand that the protesters are experiencing difficulties due to construction work planned over several years," but added, "We are confident that we have fulfilled our legal obligations under U.S. labor relations law." They also added, "We continue to work with public agencies to improve accessibility."

Additionally, The Hollywood Reporter reported that on the 17th, trees along Wind Boulevard in Los Angeles near the NBCUniversal headquarters were pruned, sparking protests from demonstrators.

[Photo by Chris Stevens SNS]

In response, comedian Chris Stevens expressed his discomfort on social media, saying, "Thanks to the wonderful employees of Universal Pictures who trimmed the trees that provided shade to the protesters before a week of temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit began."

The writers' union has been striking against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) since May 2, holding protests near studios across LA for over 70 days. They are demanding increased guarantees and restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in line with the online streaming era. The actors' union also declared a breakdown in negotiations with the AMPTP and went on strike starting the 14th. This is the first time in 63 years since the 1960s that the two major unions have gone on strike simultaneously.