Writers on E! Network’s Fashion Police announced a strike against E! and Joan Rivers’ production company, Rugby Productions, which jointly employ the writing staff. At the same time, Writers Guilds West and East have sent a letter to their members instructing them not to work on Fashion Police because the strike is sanctioned by the WGA. Members of both guilds are prohibited from writing for the show under Working Rule 8, which prohibits members from working for non-signatory companies. The guilds also urged non-members not to take jobs on the show while the work stoppage is underway.
“This is very simple,” said Fashion Police writer Ned Rice. “We have earned the right to be a Guild show, we deserve to be a Guild show, and we want to be a Guild show. The ball is clearly in E! and Rugby’s court right now and we’re ready to go back to work on Fashion Police just as soon as they sign a WGA contract.”
The problems for Fashion Police have been building. Over the last two weeks the writers have filed $1.5 million in wage and hour claims with the California Division of Labor Standard Enforcement (DLSE) against E! and Rivers’ company. They are seeking payment for unpaid regular and overtime hours worked.
