Producer Of Nickelodeon Shows Finally Signs Studio Teachers Union’s Contract
Source: Deadline
by David Robb
EXCLUSIVE: Hollywood’s Studio Teachers Local 884 has won a major victory in its nine-year struggle to get the producer of many of Nickelodeon’s kids shows to sign its contract. Under the terms of the IATSE’s new Hollywood labor contract, Rocart Inc. has agreed that it now will hire union teachers for all the child actors it employs on shows it produces for the popular children’s TV channel.
Up until now, Rocart has been hiring nonunion studio teachers for the shows through a referral agency and classifying them as “independent contractors.” The teachers union has long argued that this was a misclassification and that the nonunion teachers Rocart hired were really its employees. Earlier this year, one of the local’s members even sued Rocart over this alleged misclassification. It’s expected that that suit will be dropped.
“This is a big victory for those teachers. It’s been a battle that we’ve be fighting since 2006,” said former Local 884 business rep Linda Stone, who gave credit to Rocart for signing the contract and “doing the right thing.”
Shows that Rocart produces for Nickelodeon include Henry Danger, The Thundermans, Bella And The Bulldogs, Nicky-Ricky-Dicky-and-Dawn. Under the terms of the agreement, the shows’ teachers will get to keep their jobs and can join the union after 30 days of covered employment. It’s believed that fewer than a dozen studio teachers currently are employed on the shows but that many more will come to work under the union’s contract if Rocart’s lineup for Nickelodeon expands.
FULL story at link.
Read more: http://deadline.com/2015/09/nickelodeon-producer-rocart-signs-signs-studio-teachers-union-contract-1201511783/
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I hope this gives those heartless pigs insomnia. I think all pray to jeebus just to make sure it happens! 
