Universal Studios' Controversial Move Sparks Outrage: WGA and SAG-AFTRA Fight Back as Trees Are Trimmed to Thwart Strikers

Picketers gather outside of Amazon Studios in Culver City, California. CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the American Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) are not only advocating for improved wages and contracts but also raising concerns about the picketing conditions. On Wednesday, July 19, the organizations lodged complaints with the National Labor Relations Board. This action came after Universal Studios deliberately cut down trees outside its Los Angeles offices, thereby depriving protesters of shade, according to documents obtained by We.

According to the paperwork, the WGA stated in its complaint that NBCUniversal was interfering with the ongoing strike by blocking picketing sites with "construction fencing," which resulted in two strikers being hit by a car. The organization also alleges that NBCU refused to provide pedestrian walkways using K-rail barriers, despite being advised by the Los Angeles Police Department to do so for public safety.

A day earlier, a Universal spokesperson explained in a statement to Deadline that the actions were taken for "safety reasons" and it was unintentional to cause difficulties for the demonstrators.

The spokesperson explained that the trees are pruned annually at this time to lighten the canopies before the high wind season. They expressed support for the right of the WGA and SAG to demonstrate and mentioned efforts to provide shade coverage. They also mentioned ongoing communication with labor leaders on-site to collaborate during this time.

L.A. City Controller Kenneth Mejia, following an investigation into the tree trimming, disclosed on Tuesday, July 18, that no tree trimming permits have been granted in the past three years at the Universal Studios location. He further stated that the City did not issue any permits for the recent tree trimming activities.

Courtesy LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia/Twitter

Mejia further noted that Universal could face a possible citation pending further investigation.

"The Urban Forestry Division (UFD) of the City of LA will collaborate with the Investigation & Enforcement Division (IED) of StreetsLA to assess the necessity of an administrative citation or hearing for this case," he tweeted in a subsequent message. "If issued, the administrative citation fee will begin at $250."

While Universal could face consequences for their actions, shade expert Sam Bloch exclusively informed Us that it is not unusual for private property owners in L.A., like NBCU, to engage external companies for tree trimming.

Bloch, whose research has appeared in Places Journal, Slate, CityLab, and Landscape Architecture Magazine, pointed out that the enforcement of tree regulations in Los Angeles is severely lacking. According to good practice, trees should be trimmed every five to seven years, but in L.A., this task is only carried out every 15 to 20 years. Consequently, it is not uncommon for private property owners, homeowners, or businesses to take matters into their own hands and trim trees on public property.

Regarding the removal of trees in L.A. for safety reasons, Bloch mentioned that the definition of safety might extend to individuals perceived as threats to property owners. In this specific case, the picketers outside the business could potentially be the reason given for the safety concerns.

Derek French/Shutterstock

In addition to the previously provided shade from the trees, it is important to consider the potential risks of intense heat for strikers moving forward. It is often overlooked that shade can actually increase the perceived heat on the human body by 10 to 15 degrees, due to the sun's direct impact and the heat radiating from surrounding surfaces. Therefore, a street without shade, like the one depicted, can indeed pose a danger to individuals spending an extended period outdoors, particularly if they are constantly moving, which is considered a form of physical activity.

Since May 2, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been on strike, and last week, SAG-AFTRA joined the cause in their demand for new contracts and fair pay from major studios and streaming services. The WGA expressed their dissatisfaction with the companies' actions, stating that it has created a gig economy within the union workforce and their refusal to guarantee consistent weekly employment in episodic television, implementation of a 'day rate' in comedy variety, reluctance to compensate screenwriters for free work and use of AI for all writers. This behavior has undermined the profession of writing and transformed it into a purely freelance endeavor, which is unacceptable to the WGA.