Fearing that a strike by writers and actors against Hollywood studios could cripple the Los Angeles economy, Mayor Richard Riordan plans to wage a city-funded public relations blitz aimed at pressuring both sides into settling.
Riordan is expected today to announce the start of an economic impact study that will serve as the cornerstone of a campaign stressing the financial damage a strike would cause.
"This is not just a game played between the studios and the other side," Riordan said in an interview. "This affects the whole city."
Traditionally, major political figures have kept their distance from labor disputes involving the entertainment industry. But given the high stakes involved and serious consequences of possible back-to-back walkouts, Riordan said, he has decided to make labor peace a priority in his remaining three months in office.
Riordan's determination to try to head off a strike comes as talks between studios and writers, whose contract expires May 2, have stalled. Negotiations have yet to start between studios and actors, whose contract expires July 1. Writers and actors want a boost in payments, arguing that they are being shortchanged when their work appears on cable TV, in foreign markets and on videocassette or DVD.
Riordan has hired a private company, Edelman Public Relations Worldwide, to publicize the consequences of two possible strikes. The cost of the public relations campaign and the economic study--estimated at $45,000 to $60,000--will be paid by the city from a mayoral discretionary fund.
Riordan said he chose to exert his influence before a possible strike because "I'm more conscious about all of the effects. . . . People seem to be rattling their sabers more now, and this got to the top of my radar screen."
The mayor's involvement took both writers and studios by surprise.
Cheryl Rhoden, assistant executive director of the Writers Guild of America, said the guild was unaware of Riordan's plan but has no problem with it.
"It's the right of any elected official to . . . bring whatever pressures they can on the respective sides to try to make a deal," Rhoden said.
J. Nicholas Counter, chief negotiator for the Hollywood studios, said he also had no knowledge of the mayor's plan.
"My feeling is he's doing what he should do," Counter said. As to the need to educate the studios, Counter said: "We're well aware of the economic impact the industry has in the Los Angeles area."
