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Tuesday, November 10, 1998 5:18:23 PM EST

• ABC techs call for Hollywood boycott of network
• Jury: Van Damme owes nothing in movie script lawsuit
• Jackson settles with The Mirror
• Buffett to hold benefit for hurricane victims

Union members picket outside the ABC News studios

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The technicians' union locked out of ABC in a labor dispute is turning up the heat on the network. In a letter delivered to show business publicists and managers Monday, the National Association of Broadcast Employees & Technicians (NABET) urged Hollywood figures "to refrain from scheduling any promotional appearances on any ABC or ABC-affiliated program." The letter mentioned "Good Morning America," "Live With Regis & Kathie Lee," "The View" and "Politically Incorrect." Last week, Adam Sandler, Whoopi Goldberg and Tony Bennett refused to cross picket lines on their way to appearances on ABC shows. "We hope that other celebrities will follow their lead," said Gena Stinnett, head of NABET Local 57 in Los Angeles. The lockout, now in its second week, followed a 24-hour strike by about 2,000 NABET-represented workers on November 2 to protest what the union said was the network's refusal to provide information on a proposed health plan.

Van Damme

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- A jury ruled in favor of Jean-Claude Van Damme in a lawsuit filed by a martial arts expert who claims he collaborated with the actor on a movie script. Frank Dux was seeking $1.5 million in damages, saying that Van Damme broke their contract over "The Quest," a 1991 movie that Van Damme directed and starred in. Dux said the film was similar to the manuscript for "Enter the New Dragon: The Kumite," which they both wrote. Jury foreman Paul Martinet said jurors found Dux's testimony less than credible. Dux said he planned to appeal.

Jackson

LONDON (CNN) -- Michael Jackson has settled a lawsuit with the tabloid The Mirror. The suit stemmed from four 1992 Mirror articles, with photographs, that said Jackson's face was disfigured by cosmetic surgery. The stories suggested numerous operations had left the pop star badly scarred. "The photographs were taken honestly and were not tampered with, but The Mirror has since met with the plaintiff in person and acknowledges that the photographs do not accurately represent the plaintiff's true appearance," said Kevin Bays, a lawyer for the publishers. Details of the settlement were not disclosed.

Buffett

MOBILE, Alabama (CNN) -- Jimmy Buffett wants to help victims of Hurricane Georges, so the singer says he will hold a benefit concert in the town where he grew up: Mobile, Alabama. Buffett's December 2 show in Mobile will be his first there since 1990, and proceeds will go to help victims of Georges. "This concert is very important to Mobile on a number of levels -- not just to fill the civic center, which is nice, but just to have him come back home," Mayor Mike Dow said. "I think he'll find a very warm reception in Mobile." Hurricane Georges hit the Alabama coast on September 28, causing extensive damage and flooding. Buffett, 51, is best known for hit songs such as "Margaritaville" and "Cheeseburger in Paradise."