Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Diane E. Watson (D-CA-33) today applauded the reconstitution of the Hollywood Labor Coalition, organized by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, and pledged to work with the Coalition to curb the outsourcing of jobs in the film industry.
“I look forward to the opportunity of working with Miguel Contreras, head of the L.A. County Federation Labor, as well as other union leaders, in addressing the important issue of job losses in the movie industry,” remarked Congresswoman Watson. “I’ve asked the member unions of the Hollywood Labor Coalition to make a presentation to the Congressional Entertainment Caucus in Washington, D.C. on the impact of runaway production on U.S. jobs and the economy and other issues of interest. Runaway production is a very real and serious problem that has caused many job losses in my district. My constituents are suffering when they cannot work enough hours to qualify for health insurance, make house or car payments, and put food on the table for their families. I recently sent a letter to Jack Valenti, signed by 26 other Members of Congress, that addresses this issue.”
During the meeting, Congresswoman Watson also reiterated her support for tax incentive legislation in Congress aimed at curbing runaway production, including the provisions contained in S. 1637, a Senate tax credit bill. Watson is an original cosponsor of a wage credit bill introduced in the House of Representatives last year and has been an outspoken leader against intellectual property rights violations, another serious and devastating issue confronting the entertainment industry.
In a written response to Congresswoman Watson, Jack Valenti questioned whether there has been an outsourcing of U.S. motion picture jobs. He also defended, as a creative necessity for the filming of “Cinderella Man”, the use of the Toronto Maple Leaf Garden as a substitute for the Madison Square Garden of the 1930s. Congresswoman Watson met with Jack Valenti following the receipt of his letter, and both have agreed to meet again to discuss the issue in greater detail.
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