Title: WGA Pickets Dancing With the Stars Rehearsals, SAG-AFTRA Defends Members Amid Strike
Guam News Factor – In an ongoing battle between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the entertainment industry, WGA members have taken their picket lines to Dancing With the Stars rehearsals. However, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has stated that its members on the production are not violating any strike rules.
SAG-AFTRA, the performers’ union, has clarified that its members working on Dancing With the Stars are operating under a non-struck contract, meaning they are fulfilling their contractual obligations without crossing any picket lines. The majority of SAG-AFTRA members on the show already signed their deals before the strike officially began, while others have option agreements that compel them to participate if the show’s producers exercise their rights.
As a result, SAG-AFTRA has a no-strike clause in its collective bargaining agreement, which prevents its members from striking covered projects, including Dancing With the Stars, during the term of the deal. The union is supportive of its members fulfilling their obligations on the show despite the WGA pickets.
The escalating tension between the two unions has led to speculation about potential delays in the return of Dancing With the Stars. ABC, the network that airs the show, may postpone the premiere due to the disruptive picketing activities. Cast member Matt Walsh has even announced that he will temporarily halt his involvement in the series until an agreement is reached with the WGA.
This is not the first time SAG-AFTRA has exerted its influence during the strike. The union previously successfully pressured talk shows to delay their return, joining forces with the WGA in their fight against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and its member companies.
SAG-AFTRA has been working to shield its participating members on Dancing With the Stars from criticism, emphasizing that it is specifically targeting AMPTP member companies, not members who are required to work under other union contracts or personal service agreements. The union acknowledges its obligations under federal labor law and aims to navigate the strike while respecting both its members’ rights and their contractual obligations.
As the WGA pickets continue to disrupt television productions nationwide, it remains to be seen how this clash between unions will impact the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars and other shows in the entertainment industry.
