Reality Show Staffers File Labor Complaint

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6548741.html

Claim They Worked Long Hours Without Breaks Or Overtime Pay
By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 4/7/2008 5:14:00 PM

Workers from reality shows including Gene Simmons' Family Jewels, The Amazing Race and American Idol will file a complaint with the California Department of Labor Standards Enforcement April 8, alleging producers owe the workers overtime and other wages in excess of $500,000, according to the Writers Guild of America West.

The union alleges workers from ranging from writers to office workers and production assistants work long hours without being paid overtime and are not allowed to take proper breaks as stipulated in state law.

The workers and officials from the WGAW and the Teamsters are staging a press conference as the workers file their complaint with the state agency.

[acmavm]

1. Reality shows have writers? Who'd 'ave thunk it?

:sarcasm:

[Me.]

2. Yes

This in particular was one of the bones of contention with the recent writer's strike.