Universal hit with $250 fine for trimming trees striking writers and actors used for shade
Universal Pictures has been slapped with a $250 fine for trimming trees that had provided shade to WGA workers striking in the Southern California heat, according to city officials.
Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia revealed on Wednesday that the city did not grant the necessary permits to trim the Ficus trees outside of Universal’s Gate 8. On Friday, he confirmed that the studios were issued a $250 citation — the most the city could demand in the situation.
“StreetsLA fines all first-time offenders – regardless of # of trees at issue – a $250 penalty. If violations continue, the fines can grow to $1,000,” he posted in a lengthy Twitter thread. “If trees are found to be significantly damaged, StreetsLA can require the offenders plant two trees per damaged tree.”
The trees had provided shade to the workers as they remain deadlocked in negotiations with the studio. Writers Guild Foundation/Twitter
“In this case, StreetsLA determined the trees were not significantly damaged and will likely recover in 6-12 months,” Mejia continued. “Through our investigation, we’ve learned that StreetsLA can’t proactively protect our 700,000+ City trees and investigate abuse. The City has only 12 inspectors.”
WGA and SAG–AFTRA workers were outraged when they returned to the picket line to find that the trees had been trimmed during their ongoing strike. An online post of the bare trees quickly went viral.
The trees were trimmed while workers were striking in 90-degree heat in Los Angeles. LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia/Twitter
Universal Pictures was issued a $250 fine, which city officials said was all they could do. LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia/Twitter
“Quick shoutout to the good people at @UniversalPics for trimming the trees that gave our picket line shade right before a 90+ degree week,” comedian Chris Stephens sarcastically tweeted.
A spokesperson for NBCUniversal admitted to The Post in a statement that the pruning “has created unintended challenges for demonstrators,” but added, “that was not our intention.”
“In partnership with licensed arborists, we have pruned these trees annually at this time of year to ensure that the canopies are light ahead of the high wind season,” the studio said.
Universal Pictures did not respond to a request for comment.
WGA has been on strike since May 2. They were joined on the picket line by the actors’ union SAG–AFTRA on July 14.
Source: New York Post
