300 Union Supporters Converge on Universal Studios

OCTOBER 7, 2014. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

CONTACT:           Rob Callahan

                                National Organizer, IATSE Local 700

                                323.978.1078

                                rcallahan@editorsguild.com

300 Union Supporters Converge on Universal Studios to Protest Bravo’s Illegal Firing of “Shahs of Sunset” Crew

Los Angeles, California – October 7, 2014 – Approximately 300 members and allies of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) demonstrated outside the gates of Universal Studios to demand justice for the crew members of Shahs of Sunset.

Bravo Media, a Comcast/NBCUniversal company, in collusion with Ryan Seacrest Productions, the producers of Shahs, unlawfully fired the crew of the successful reality television show on September 26, in retaliation for the crew’s striking to win a union contract. Today’s action came on the heels of a similar, smaller protest outside of Rockefeller Center, corporate headquarters of Bravo and NBCUniversal, last Thursday.

Federal law protects employees’ right to organize, including their right to strike. It is a violation of the National Labor Relations Act for an employer to retaliate in any way against employees for their exercising their rights under the law.

The strike, now nearly a month old, has shut down post-production and additional production on season 4 of the show, which had been scheduled to premiere on October 13. Bravo has delayed the season 4 premiere indefinitely due to the work stoppage.

Speakers at today’s rally included Alan Heim, ACE, President of IATSE Local 700, Assemblymember Isadore Hall of the 64th District, Michael F. Miller, IATSE International Vice President and Director of the Department of Motion Picture and Television Production, and Maria Elena Durazo, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.

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