SAG Game Contract Scuttled

The Screen Actors Guild’s national executive committee on Tuesday rejected a proposed contract covering performers who provide the voices of video game characters. The unexpected move scuttled a deal , reached earlier this month by union negotiators , that would have given actors a 36 percent raise over three years, but failed to gain residual payments for actors in top-selling games. It also throws into question what future role SAG will have in dealing with the $25-billion game industry because representatives of its sister union, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, approved the terms. AFTRA’s deal takes effect July 1, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Port Pollution Task Force Releases Findings


A panel appointed to study ways to roll back port pollution to 2001 levels had its final meeting Tuesday, signing off on 68 findings that will be forwarded to Mayor James Hahn. The group, which included representatives from port industry and environmental agencies, acknowledged it had not reached consensus over the past eight months on a strategy to reduce port pollution, the Daily Breeze reported. The “No Net Increase” report will be forwarded Friday to Hahn, who appointed the task force last fall. Its implementation remains clouded by questions about who will pay for the anti-pollution measures and how the report will be viewed by Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa, who replaces the sitting mayor July 1.

Police Board OKs Merger Proposal


The Los Angeles Police Commission gave approval Tuesday to a conceptual agreement uniting city security officers under a new Office of Public Safety, despite objections by the ACLU and others who said it lacks sufficient civilian oversight. But the panel also urged the City Council to consider amendments proposed by Councilwoman Wendy Greuel that would establish civilian authority to review use-of-force incidents involving officers. Any amendments to the agreement would have to be approved by Police Chief William Bratton and General Services General Manager Alvin Blain, who signed the original agreement, the Daily News of Los Angeles reported.

Los Angeles Panel Seeks Delay On Terminal Vote


Rebuffing the wishes of Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn, a City Council committee called Tuesday on the Board of Harbor Commissioners to delay its vote to terminate a lease with the operators of a petroleum storage terminal, Copley News Service reported. The harbor commission is scheduled to decide today whether to cancel a pipeline permit used by AmeriGas Propane to transport fuel from Berth 120 in the Port of L.A. to its nearby petroleum tanks. Hahn had argued that the vote would serve as the first step toward pressuring AmeriGas to remove its tanks, which have been portrayed by nearby residents as a hazard and potential terrorist target.

Disney Ends Talks to Sell Store Chain in Europe


Walt Disney Co. said it had ended negotiations to sell its Disney Store chain in Europe because there wasn’t any interest from retail companies, and the business was improving. Disney Consumer Products Chairman Andrew Mooney said talks to sell the 105 stores ended last week. The Burbank-based company said in 2003 that it would sell both the European and North American Disney Store chains because of lackluster performance. Disney completed the sale of its U.S. and Canadian stores last year to Children’s Place Retail Stores Inc. of Secaucus, N.J., Bloomberg News reported.

Architecture School Loses Bid to Buy Its Home


After a protracted legal battle, the Southern California Institute of Architecture lost its bid Tuesday to buy the Santa Fe freight depot that houses the school, the Los Angeles Times reported. L.A. County Superior Court Judge Helen I. Bendix rejected SCI-Arc’s contention that it had an agreement to buy the nearly century-old building that it leases for classrooms and offices. The ruling clears the way for developer Richard Meruelo to buy the building and the 2.5-acre property on Santa Fe Avenue just west of the Los Angeles River. SCI-Arc has a long-term lease on the 1907 depot, and the school wants to work with Meruelo on plans for the site. The decision was a big win for the developer, who has seen his profile in L.A. rise in recent months after becoming the largest individual contributor in the mayor’s race.