WGA and SAG-AFTRA, both currently on strike against the AMPTP, have jointly filed a grievance with the National Labor Relations Board against NBCUniversal. The grievance alleges the studio of knowingly creating unsafe (and unlawful) conditions for both guilds to conduct their current pickets.
“Ongoing construction” in the area the pickets at NBCUniversal take place at has resulted in sidewalks being both smaller and closed altogether, which effectively removes the approved areas for the pickets to happen.
The unions say this has “exacerbated the dire public safety situation to interfere with striking members’ right to engage in the protected, concerted activity of picketing and patrolling outside the employer’s premises during a lawful strike.”
NBCUniversal responded in a statement after news of the grievance being filed was made public:
“We are aware of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA complaints. We strongly believe that the company has fulfilled our legal obligations under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and we will cooperate with respect to any inquiries by the National Labor Relations Board on this issue. While we understand the timing of our multi-year construction project has created challenges for demonstrators, we continue to work with public agencies to increase access. We support the unions’ rights to demonstrate safely.”
Due do the complaint about trees being knowingly cut/trimmed back to take away the only shade in the area right before a heatwave, the City Controller is investigating.
The WGA has been on strike for 78 days. SAG-AFTRA is entering their 5th day.
