Warner Bros. lays off workers as strike drags on
By Carl DiOrio
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - In a move related to the Hollywood writers strike, Warner Bros. has laid off almost three-dozen workers.
The studio had notified about 1,000 employees of Warner Bros. Studios Facilities in November that their jobs could be eliminated because much of Hollywood has been idled since the Writers Guild of America went on strike November 5. The department handles such areas as construction, props, lighting and post-production on the studio's Burbank lot.
The 60-day notice was required under federal guidelines in situations involving mass layoffs, but it appears lot employees for now have dodged any more sizable number of job cuts.
"There was a great deal of misinformation reported regarding the potential number of layoffs that might be implemented this week," Warners said in a statement Wednesday.
"We have worked very hard to come up with solutions -- such as implementing reduced work schedules -- to minimize layoffs. Because of these measures, fewer than three dozen positions were affected this week.
"We will continue to explore alternatives to layoffs, including redeployment to other areas of our businesses," the studio added. "We are very sorry for the impact this has on our nonstriking work force."
A Warners spokeswoman said she couldn't elaborate on the statement.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
