Congressional reps send letter to Chernin, Iger

Three California Democratic Congressional reps have sent a letter to News Corp. prexy Peter Chernin and Walt Disney Co. CEO Robert Iger to put the execs on notice that they monitoring the state of their talks with the Writers Guild of America. "The purpose of our letter is to encourage you to seek a fair, just, and swift resolution to this labor dispute," U.S. Reps. George Miller, Linda Sánchez and Lynn Woolsey wrote in the letter. The trio are members of the House Committee on Education and Labor and rank among the most liberal members of the House.

Here's the entire letter:

February 1, 2008

Mr. Peter Chernin, Chairman and CEO

The Fox Group

Mr. Robert Iger, President and CEO

The Walt Disney Company

Dear Messrs. Chernin and Iger:

As Chairs and Members of the House Committee on Education and Labor, we have monitored the ongoing labor dispute between your company and the Writers Guild of America with particular interest and growing concern. We were pleased to see that, after suspension of formal negotiations, you and the other members of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have convened informal discussions with Writers Guild representatives.  The purpose of our letter is to encourage you to seek a fair, just, and swift resolution to this labor dispute.

The television and film industry is a significant part of our national economy.  It provides thousands of jobs, directly and indirectly, each year.  It generates critical revenue to cities, counties, and states.  Its products are among the country’s most valuable exports.

The entertainment industry not only supports writers, actors, and producers but is a major source of middle class jobs for California, New York, and the rest of the country.  We appreciate that the issues at stake are critical to the future of your business.  As the entertainment industry grows and changes, we hope that any new business models will allow for creative talent to grow with the industry. 

Maintaining the middle class jobs that your industry provides is among our greatest concerns. The growing cost of this dispute is of increasing concern in the Congress.  We understand that Los Angeles County, for example, has lost an estimated $1.6 billion in economic activity due to the strike. Given the House Education and Labor Committee’s jurisdiction, we are exploring the need for further Committee attention to this matter. The impact of this strike on workers, the industry, and our economy is simply too pronounced to ignore.

We urge you to work to resolve the dispute with a fair and just agreement for all parties as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

GEORGE MILLER                                      LYNN C. WOOLSEY

Chairman                                                          Chairperson

Committee on Education and Labor                  Subcommittee on Workforce Protections

LINDA T. SÁNCHEZ

Member

Committee on Education and Labor

cc:        Patric M. Verrone, President, Writers Guild of America West

            Michael Winship, President, Writers Guild of America East

            Jeffrey Zucker, President and CEO, NBC Universal

            Les Moonves, President and CEO, CBS Entertainment

            Barry M. Meyer, Chairman and CEO, Warner Brothers Inc.

            Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO, Paramount Pictures Corp.

            Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment

            Harry Sloan, Chairman and CEO, MGM

Comments

[Peter Chernin]

Dear Congress,

Bite me.

Thanks,
Peter

[shortgirl]

Yes Variety. We do notice that anything that favors the writers doesn't make your front page. Just your biased articles quoting "some sources" how the writers are bad, studios are good. We get it. J school would be soooo proud of you.

[Johnny]

Omg, well it's about MF TIME. I was seriously thinking about writing congress about this silly schitt. Next step: anti-trust investigation, byatches...

And does this not qualify as news, Variety? Congress stepping into this shiznit? I've totally lost faith in this publication, christ...

[paula]

Come on. What can the government do? Just a buncha no name Washington-types looking for press or at least a free pass to a screening.