Mayor Karen Bass, labor unions push for resolution on proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. merger

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and entertainment labor leaders are raising concerns about continued uncertainty surrounding Paramount-Skydance's pending purchase of Warner Bros., saying the delay could have consequences for local jobs and productions.

Bass met with entertainment labor leaders Thursday as the proposed merger remains in limbo amid an antitrust lawsuit filed by 12 state attorneys general, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta. A decision on the deal is expected to be more than six months away.

"The continued uncertainty is not good for the workers, not good for productions and not good for the future of this industry," Bass said.

The concerns come as local officials point to the entertainment industry's economic importance in the region. According to a Los Angeles County report released Wednesday, as many as 4,500 local film and television jobs could be lost within three years if the companies combine.

The report also found that the Los Angeles area has lost 52,000 entertainment-related jobs over the past four years because of declining local production activity.

Bass called on all parties involved in the dispute to work toward a resolution.

"We are calling on Paramount, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and all relevant parties to come together, engage directly and in good faith and work urgently to find common ground and keep our vital industry in Los Angeles," she said.

Union leaders said the uncertainty surrounding the proposed merger is already affecting business decisions, with some film and television productions hesitant to move forward while the deal's future remains unresolved.

"This uncertainty is causing a blockage in more production coming our way," said Malakhi Simmons, vice president of IATSE Local 728.

While Bass declined to take a position on the merger itself, she said any final agreement should include protections for local workers and production activity.

"It must include meaningful and enforceable commitments to keep Paramount and Warner Brothers discovery in LA as well as maintaining jobs productions and investments in LA and California," Bass said.

City officials and labor leaders said they will continue pressing for assurances that any outcome preserves entertainment jobs and investment in Los Angeles and California.