Crew members from Bravo's Shahs of Sunset are going on strike and refusing to work until Ryan Seacrest Productions agrees to begin contract discussions.
The move has already delayed the show's upcoming season premiere, which had been set for October 13, but is now scheduled for an undetermined date.
The Motion Picture Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700), acting on behalf of Shahs' non-unionized crew, sent a letter to RSP subsidiary Berne Productions.
After getting no response, the post-production crew walked off the job last week and formed picket line that lasted all day and grew to as many as 30 people.
Receiving union recognition would allow the Shahs' crew of 20-25 members to receive health care and retirement benefits, among other job security gains.
"Reality TV has grown up nonunion as a way to keep labor costs low," IATSE Local 700 national organizer Rob Callahan told The Hollywood Reporter.
"But there's an increasing sensibility - the zeitgeist, really - that the folks that do this work are making TV [shows] very lucrative for their employers."
"They want to have the same security as everybody else."
With the decline of network TV dominance, more people watch Shahs of Sunset online and on Bravo than ever before, leveling the playing field.
The crew members feel they are not playing on a level one, however, when compared to the staff members assisting on the major network productions.
Last month, Survivor's post-production crew gained union recognition with its employer, Mark Burnett's Island Post Productions, following a one-day strike.
That quick resolution kept the Survivor cast and crew on track for a September 24 premiere of its 29th season. Can the Shahs staff come to a similar deal?
Here's hoping. We can't live without Reza, GG and Co.
Check out the Shahs of Sunset Season 4 trailer below:
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