Academy: Labor fight shouldn't derail Oscar trophy

[December 10, 2011]  CHICAGO (AP) -- A labor dispute at a Chicago manufacturing company could mean there are no new Oscar trophies at next year's Academy Awards. But the academy says it has enough trophies for the show to go on.

Workers and management at R.S. Owens & Company are fighting over a proposed wage freeze and benefit cuts. Chicago television station WMAQ reported that union leaders say they want to avoid a work stoppage.

R.S. Owens makes the 13 1/2-inch golden statuettes handed out at the Oscars. It also produces awards for the Emmys and MTV Music Awards.

A spokeswoman for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences told The Associated Press that the academy has a "closet full of Oscars" ready to go.

The Oscar show is scheduled for Feb. 26.

[Associated Press]

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