Union, Yes: Writer-Producers at Reality TV Production Company that Makes 'Swamp People' Vote to Join

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Union, Yes: Writer-Producers at Reality TV Production Company that Makes 'Swamp People' Vote to Join Writers Guild of America, East

http://www.aflcio.org/Blog/Organizing-Bargaining/Union-Yes-Writer-Producers-at-Reality-TV-Production-Company-that-Makes-Swamp-People-Vote-to-Join-Writers-Guild-of-America-East


07/11/2014Jackie Tortora




A majority of writer-producers at the New York-based nonfiction (reality) TV production company Original Media voted overwhelmingly to join the Writers Guild of America, East, (WGAE) in an election held by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The vote was 42 to 9.

Writer-producers at Original Media create popular shows such as "Ink Master," "Comic Book Men" and "Swamp People."

According to WGAE, Original Media is a member of a recently announced employer association, the Nonfiction Producers Association, which was formed in response to the Writers Guild of America’s campaign. The association’s stated purpose is to improve employees’ working conditions, and "Original Media now has the opportunity to do so in negotiations with the Guild," says WGAE.

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“The men and women who work so hard to create nonfiction (reality) TV shows have demonstrated that they want WGAE representation to help them improve their working conditions and to build sustainable careers. We look forward to sitting down with the company and negotiating a contract that will provide health benefits, paid time off, minimum compensation levels and other basic union protections,” says Lowell Peterson, executive director, Writers Guild of America, East.

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