The Writers Guild of America, West, is trying to force reality production companies and the networks that present the shows to negotiate a union contract for reality TV writers. As inducement, guild officials said they would file a lawsuit next week against some networks and production companies, charging breach of California's overtime laws. At issue for reality TV script writers are healthcare concerns, pension worries, and the general instability of the industry.
See "Union Plans to File Suit for Reality TV Workers", Sharon Waxman, The New York Times, June 28, 2005