Universal fined 250 for attacking writers and actors for pruning

Universal fined $250 for attacking writers and actors for pruning trees that provided shade

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July 22, 2023 | 11:07 p.m

Ficus trees outside of Universal Studios were suddenly felled earlier this week while WGA and SAG-AFRA employees stood on the picket line. LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia/Twitter

According to city officials, Universal Pictures was fined $250 for cutting down trees that provided shade for striking WGA workers in the Southern California heat.

Los Angeles City Administrator Kenneth Mejia announced Wednesday that the city has not issued the necessary permits to fell the ficus trees outside of Universal’s Gate 8. On Friday, he confirmed that the studios had been issued an estimate of $250 — the maximum the city could ask in the situation.

StreetsLA will fine all first-time offenders – regardless of the number of trees affected – $250. If violations persist, fines can escalate to as much as $1,000,” he said posted in a long twitter thread. “If trees are found to be significantly damaged, StreetsLA may require offenders to plant two trees for each damaged tree.”

The trees had provided shade for the workers while negotiations with the studio were deadlocked. Writers Guild Foundation/Twitter

“In this case, StreetsLA determined that the trees were not significantly damaged and will likely recover in 6-12 months,” Mejia continued. “Through our investigation, we have learned that StreetsLA cannot proactively protect our 700,000+ city trees and investigate abuse. The city only has 12 inspectors.”

WGA and SAG-AFTRA workers were outraged when they returned to the picket line to find that the trees had been felled during their ongoing strike. An online post of the bare trees quickly went viral.

The trees were felled while workers in Los Angeles went on strike in the 90-degree heat. LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia/Twitter Universal Pictures was fined $250, which city officials said was all they could do. LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia/Twitter

“Briefly thank you to the good people of @UniversalPics “For pruning the trees that shaded our picket just over 90 degrees a week ago,” said comedian Chris Stephens sarcastically tweeted.

A spokesman for NBCUniversal admitted to The Post in a statement that the cut “created unintended challenges for protesters,” but added, “That was not our intent.”

“Working with licensed arborists, we have been pruning these trees annually at this time of year to ensure the canopy is light ahead of the high wind season,” the studio said.

Universal Pictures did not respond to a request for comment.

The WGA has been on strike since May 2nd. On July 14, actors’ union SAG-AFTRA joined them on the strike line.

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