Cannes: J.C. Chandor Sets Next Project ‘A Most …
Hannibal Classics Sets Cast For Nic Cage Pic …
Hammond On Cannes: Robert Redford’s Brave New Role …
Hot Trailer: Jennifer Aniston And Jason Sudeikis’ …
Warner Bros Tells Space Story, From The Bra Designers Who …
Brad Pitt’s Plan B Banner Promotes Jeremy Kleiner To …
Hot Trailer: ‘Don Jon’
Billy Crystal-Starring Comedy From Matt Nix & Larry …
RATINGS RAT RACE: ‘Dancing With The Stars’ …
Hammond On Cannes: A New Day Comes To The Fest As HBO and …
Cannes: Fleming Reflects And Finds Talented Trio A Breath …
Hot Trailer: ‘Man Of Steel’
Former Digital Domain CEO & Auditors Sued For Fraud By …
ABC’s ‘Nashville’ Undergoes Production …
CBS Wins Season & Ties Sweep In Demo; ABC Tops Adults …
Alki David Agrees To End Name Games With Aereo And Barry …
Next-Gen Xbox One Unveiled With Content Including …
Cannes: Weinstein Co Acquires Keanu-Reese Sci-Fi Pic …
Hot Trailer: ‘The Wolverine’
Ang Lee Departs FX Pilot ‘Tyrant’
How Many Times Does Seth MacFarlane Have To Say No To The …
Here was the scene this morning at the Biggest Loser location in Calabassas when replacement workers arrived for work in the pre-dawn hours and were confronted by IATSE strikers as the scabs crossed the union’s picket lines. At bottom, strikers picket the gym where the Biggest Loser contestants work out. (Photos exclusive to Deadline by Jim Stevenson)
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
Loading ... Loading ...
Yes, scream in that guy’s face for taking a job when nearly none are available in this awful economy. That will surely help them see the light of your cause.
I wish it was these Union scumbags who lost their jobs, so someone more deserving can have the work.
Good on those Americans who did the job, for the amount offered. That’s what built this industry. People who cared more about making the show, than enriching themselves.
We need more people like that to get this country back on track.
I don’t want to use the word ‘scumbag’ – but Captain Caveman is right – the only negotiation is between the employer and employee. And in a town that puts up PSAs about the evils of bullying seems to be rife with union bullies that they tolerate and embrace! In this economy people need to be earning money not paying union dues. If IATSE was so great people would be lining up to join, right? They just don’t get it – entertainment unions are so last century!
“People who cared more about making the show, than enriching themselves.” Really captain caveman? Then why won’t the producers of one of the top prime-time network television shows provide health insurance and retirement benefits for their employees, oh yeah, too busy enriching themselves. The economy has created a desperate workforce that they can exploit to line their own pockets. Bad economies are when we need unions to protect the working class most, not when we let the strong prey on the week to destroy what is left of this great country. The richer get rich on the backs of the middle class, destroying the working class american and forcing a greater disparity between rich and poor ultimately destroying the overall economy. Yeah, you are right CaptainStupid, we are losing jobs to china because they will work for pennies a day, so we should try and negotiate those kinds of wages to ensure that work will stay here, what ever they offer sounds good to me instead of joining with my working brothers to say none of us will work for a wage that is not fair and livable. Heck, you wanna talk about the gold old days and the building of this nation, let’s get the billy clubs, bats, tire irons and homemade fire grenades out so we can re-establish the strength of our unions and force the people stealing our ability to negotiate on even footing to go back to whatever rock they climb out from under!
All of these IA people should get jobs instead of picketing at 5am, go to work and stop living off all the hard working people out there. What a joke cant beleive that the IA would do this in this economic time, what a buch of fools.
There are many non-union productions that do adhere to the common-sense rules and protections that are industry standard, thanks to the unions. Unfortunately, the “new normal” these days, since “reality” has become so popular, are twelve hour days, with no overtime, often five to six days per week. The rates for these days are what were the average about four years ago for ten hours. And if you don’t take it, someone else will…or they move production to Canada. Somebody is raking in the money, and it certainly isn’t the crews. Do the math, the production companies are getting one day of labor free each week by getting two additional hours of work each day. When a crewmember gets in an accident making her way down the winding road leading out of the King Gillette ranch at the end of yet another twelve hour day, will the producers feel any responsibility for the fact that she has no health insurance to cover her injuries. If that accident results in her death, will working conditions finally change? The union exists to help prevent that scenario.
If they don’t want the jobs they’ve got, for the money they’re paid, then they should give them up to someone who will do the work.
What the IA can’t get by a true marketplace negotiation they try to get by intimidation. No one wins. Poor crew leaving a well paying job based on the assurance that the Union will deliver; the company working with inferior talent. In the end the company will sign and it will figure out ways to save the money in ways that will ultimately cost the BTL. Some say the IA “negotiates” with the Reality producers. Really? A negotiation implies a give and take environment not a “take our video-tape agreement as we choose to modify” or suffer the consequences. How about let the marketplace dictate the rates, have the IA dictate the benefit package, and the law dictate the overtime, meal breaks and other working conditions.
Then the crew can decide if the money is right while at the same time get the Pension and Health Benefits and work days they deserve. Not an option? Oh, yeah, I forgot this is a pre-determined negotiation.
I applaud this. Strikers behaving well and scabs also behaving well. A sign of being able to disagree without being disagreeable. I do take issue with that guy’s denim on denim look. Mix in some khaki.
Shouldn’t the headline read:
IATSE 0 – Biggest Loser 1?
It appears the purpose of the picket line was not to shut down the show but to make the scabs feel guilty.
The purpose of the picket line WAS to make the scabs feel guilty. There’s not much else that Unions can legally do, which is itself a sad reflection on the state of the world today.
As for no WGA support, I dont know who the writer was who crossed the line this morning, but if he was WGA, he ought to be (fill in the blank)-ed.
it didnt make me feel guilty. them yelling “you took their/our jobs” made all of us laugh because you walked off set, they were going to get people to replace you guys no matter what.
Why does Alison Sweeney hate her crew?
She got the benefits of union membership when she was an actress, don’t they deserve health insurance, a pension, and to get paid for overtime?
Uh… oh. There’s a new sheriff in Stupidtown. Ali doesn’t hate her crew. She has a no-strike clause and is prohibited by her AFTRA contract to strike in sympathy with IA. The crew loves Ali.
It’s funny, all of these union signs say “No Contract” yet every new season I work on a show I sign a deal memo. So does this mean “No Union Contract”?
BTW, since people can be anonymous in the comments section, how many field producers, story producers and post-production staff are 100% on-board with this?
I understand this is mostly driven by the IATSE members who set up equipment, swing hammers, drive trucks, etc… because they want to be credited for the hours to maintain their P&W. Ever heard those horror stories where a PA can’t plug in a fish tank or a coffee pot because a union electrician has to do it? LOL!
And one more thing, “Scab” is a term reserved for people who cross the picket line for a union shop. This isn’t a union shop so they’re not technically “Scabs”. I’d call them “workers”.
Has anyone seen that episode of the Simpsons where Homer is on a movie set and tries to out-lazy the Teamster guys? That was some funny shit!
I do pre-production and writing – and it disgusts me to see people ruining an industry out of greed. Unions should be banned.
Oh, wow Captain…you are in pre-production, explains a lot.
Union’s are what made this country great, just one more thing on a long list that people do not understand and are trying to distroy.
Humm…wonder why America sucks nowadays?
I was reading my Superman V Hollywood book.
Isn’t IASTE the same union that used to work with the scab producers.
(40′s, 50′s)
While I sympathize with the loss of work, isn’t it time that the unions merge to ensure a complete shut down when this happens to union workers.
WGA, SAG, AFTRA ETC etc. ditto.
It’s the network’s that IA needs to picket, not these small production companies. It make no difference to producers if you picket. And even if you succeed in turning the production, you can bet next year another fresh company will be producing the show.
The unionization of reality TV is a total lost cause. The days of the word ‘scab’ having any resonance are over as well. Anyone else feel this kind of conflict and rhetoric went out with print newspapers?
These people better get used to the new world. The days of being able to make vast claims for salaries and benefits are gone. And the only people who are going to stay in the industry are those who are willing to work for what the studio / producer is offering.
I know it’s not nice. But that is reality. Most viewers are no longer American, or even English speaking, and they don’t give a damn about your working conditions.
Take my advice. Just do the work and be glad you’ve got a job.
Very accurate comment; but also a sad indication of an industry that is continually “losing it’s luster.”
Anti-union guy outs himself as a bigot. How shocking!
Other than the out of work crew I want to know which entity will be the Biggest Loser in terms industry perception ; Reveille, 3 Ball or NBC? Who ultimately will be held accountable for this mess?
My only question is where are the WGA members? IATSE members fully supported them while they shut the entertainment industry down and yet they can’t get off the gold course and return the favor?
Not a single WGA member there to support them, why am I not surprised?
If there was an opening in a state with a 12% unemployment and I had a family to feed, I would cross a picket line and not even think twice. Just because a union steps in and tries to dictate pay from an employer, doesn’t mean you call people who need work “scabs”. Look at all of the industries that have been led by unions: airlines, car companies all bled their employers bankrupt at their greedy expense of giving a better life to their employees.
If people are currently showing compassion and empathy for all the bullying out there, then why not focus on this piece of crap. Unions got exactly what they wanted with this post: photographs and attention.
I agree with you. It’s pathetic to criticize people for working. And it was the Unions who mostly caused so many jobs to go overseas.
It was the Unions that caused jobs to go overseas…not greedy employers. What’s color is the sky on your planet?
Wow, you really believe that. You do realize that the companies that hire overseas don’t even deny that they’re doing it because labor is cheaper. You are truly misinformed.
You have no idea what you are talking about…
Why was everyone all bent out of shape during the WGA strike but now you are all “how dare they in ‘this economy’”? How is it any different?
I hope y’all remember that when the writers decide to go on strike again.
As a union member, I have no argument with striking, picketing and taking appropriate legal actions when called for. What we see depicted here, however, is not “fighting for your rights”. It’s nothing more than the common bully-boy tactics of old. This gives union members a black eye all over the Country. It’s not effective and it stymies organizing efforts in places you might want to work someday. And it sets a pretty bad example about bullying for our kids and grandkids.
The story producers are also losing out – the wga stopped trying to help them. they get paid less then the crew and many times work longer hours since there are no boundaries, weekends, 16 hr days. The crew gets a false sense of security with 12 hr days and then ot. story team doesn’t get overtime and sees their rate dwindle as they work more and more hours, weekends, etc. I am certainly not saying who has it worse. I am simply asking those who support the strike and the unions to also consider supporting the “story team” which are called “producers”, but are actually by wga standards writers and should be receiving wga benefits. I would love to see all crew on reality be united and get the same benefits as our scripted brothers since we are making the same advertising dollars!
And we should care about writers and the WGA why? At least IA member know what hard work is.
Cooper comment At least IA member know what hard work is.
Sitting at craft service filling your face with a doughnut and waiting for lunch is called hard work. Maybe its counting the clock so you can say meal penalty or watching the clock so that you can demand OT the second the clock goes over.
Give me a break. I’ve worked with some of you IA people and your just a lazy ass getting over paid for whinning all day.
A few things that nobody has explained, especially those on the “then find another job” side, is:
-Why shouldnt workers be paid for overtime?
-Why should the companies tax burden be shifted to the workers in the form of illegal 1099 payments?
-Why cant the crew eat after 6 hours of work?
-Why cant the crew get a reasonable turnaround, so they can go back and sleep and shower?
Simply regurgitating the republican talking points about the evils of unions doesnt apply here. We arent competing against a japanese car company here folks. There isnt the same show being produced in a third world country where wages and living conditions are humanely criminal to compete against the exact same show in the US. This isnt the UAW. Simply saying “Union” doesnt mean all unions are the same. Treating the issue and unions the same shows a lack of depth and understanding about the issues.
Thank you for pointing this out, this is what it’s about. Reality TV is behind the times on the rights that are afforded to regular TV and film. All they want is the same treatment.
For those of you suggesting unions are evil and that people should just work for what the studio is prepared to pay them, people have a right to ask for a fair wage. That’s how to maintain a healthy industry, and unions aren’t exclusive to entertainment. These aren’t stars or producers getting rich here, it’s a matter of the crew wanting proper working conditions.
Well Captaincaveman, Your handle fits you well. Your ignorance about the abuses of entertainment labor past and present is only surpassed by your willingness to adhere to an economic philosophy that is designed to undermine your best interest. Your idea that greed is the IA’s motivation is firmly rooted in seeing what you want to see regardless of fact or truth. Why is it that the rich and powerful get all the slack and the workers have to take it and like it? Is that what you think America represents? Does having money give one the right to abuse others! Or Take advantage of those that help bring your success? THAT’S America? Why are you so offended that a group of workers are standing up to fight for what’s FAIR. Greed is when they want more than what’s fair. Talk to the producers about that. How free is a free market when one side has all the leverage? I suspect that either your one of TBL’s producers or someone that couldn’t make the cut to get on a union crew. I’m sorry that you allow big money interests to influence your common sense. I’m sure that you don’t understand the issues involved here. Why don’t you crawl back into your cave and try to light a fire. Or haven’t you invented that yet. You are too caught up in the feel good sound bites that comprise your knowledge base and general belief system. Maybe one day you’ll do some research into what those bites really mean and you’ll realize just how selfish the people that fed them to you really are. Until then, maybe you should go back to the kids table, the adults are talking now.
Here’s a little gossip from InsideOut:
Rumor has it that the negotiations are nearly there. The big sticking point right now is rumored to be Post Production. The union is insisting that the editors be included in the contract. The rub here is that not only is the show edited under a third party contract, but THE EDITORS DO NOT WANT TO BE INCLUDED!! Let me shout that again: not only did the editors not participate in the crew vote nor in the strike, THE EDITORS DO NOT WANT UNON REPRESENTATION. In my humble opinion, nobody should have union representation shoved down their throats, apparently that’s not the position of the union negotiators.
So, for all of you out there on the picket lines,all of you who are approaching your third week without a paycheck: If this is true, you would be back to work right now if the union would allow the production company to sign the deal without the editors included. Thought you should know.
Looks like IATSE and the Producers have reached a tentative agreement. Now the crew can go back to work make a decent wage AND receive pension and health benefits.
The crew banded together and decided they wanted a contract.
Good for them!