Hollywood is going through a terrible time, and the situation is worsening. Beyond the poor box office results affecting the studios, the industry is at an impasse due to the protests by the WGA (Writers Guild of America) and SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), who have taken a stand to demand better working conditions.
This has led to the indefinite suspension of all ongoing productions, and now it’s time for the studios to negotiate and find a way out of this situation. However, not only do the negotiations appear to be dragging on, but the strategies employed by some studios are becoming increasingly ruthless.
Universal has pruned the trees near its studio
As reported by LA Mag, Universal has pruned all the trees on the sidewalks outside their Los Angeles studios during a heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 32 degrees Celsius. While it may seem like a coincidence, it occurred exactly where the protesters were positioned to demonstrate against the strike, using the shade from the trees for protection. As a result, they have been left without shelter, putting their health at risk.
“Greetings to the good folks at Universal Pictures for pruning the trees that provided shade to our picket line just before a week of temperatures exceeding 32 degrees.”
But it’s not just an unethical strategy; it may also constitute a legal offense. According to an article published in the Los Angeles Times in 1994, “tree pruning for landscape purposes should be avoided” in Los Angeles during the “mid- to late summer (July, August, and September)” as it can “encourage out-of-season rapid growth” and “leave some species vulnerable to freeze damage.”
We don’t know if the situation will be resolved soon or if someone will step in. However, the latest leaked information from the studios suggests that their strategy is based on allowing time to pass so that the protesters become tired and desperate for food, thus forcing them to return to work under any abusive conditions.
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