Network heads accused of extending strike

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- The chiefs of two top U.S. entertainment studios have been accused by California congressional Democrats of extending the writers' strike, sources say.

Sources said the Democratic group led by Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., has accused Walt Disney Co. President Robert Iger and Fox President Peter Chernin of delaying negotiations in the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike, The Hollywood Reporter reported Saturday.

The House Education and Labor Committee chairman has paired with Reps. Linda Sanchez and Lynn Woolsey, both D-Calif., to urge the committee to determine the extent of the impact of the lengthy entertainment industry strike.

"Given the House Education and Labor Committee's jurisdiction, we are exploring the need for further committee attention to this matter," the U.S. lawmakers said in a letter to the Hollywood executives revealed by the sources. "The impact of this strike on workers, the industry and our economy is simply too pronounced to ignore."

The Reporter said the congressional committee could start an official investigation into the WGA strike in an attempt to highlight its economic impact and potentially move negotiations forward.