Reality TV workers file labor claims

April 08, 2008 Dozens of reality TV employees gathered Tuesday in Van Nuys, Calif., to publicly file 21 claims with the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, claiming that producers of some of the top shows owe them unpaid overtime totaling more than $500,000. The majority of the claims filed targeted "American Idol" producer FremantleMedia, claiming that writers, production assistants, contestant coordinators, craft services and office workers worked long hours without being paid overtime or allowed to take breaks. "Harsh Reality" also found that 73% of those participating in the study worked through their meal break at least once a week, and most of the workers polled did not receive any health care or pension benefits.

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