Writers for the E! Network’s show Fashion Police have been on strike since April 17th–demanding that the network negotiate with the Writers Guild of America West.
The network’s position is that the WGA has not been voted on and certified by the National Labor Relations Board.
The writers want the network to recognize the WGA as their bargaining representative, while the network is insisting that a National Labor Relations Board election be held first.
As the show’s host, Joan Rivers is both a star as well as one of the writers and that, apparently, is not sitting well with the WGA–of which Rivers is a lifetime member.
On July 10th, Variety reported that the WGA East has decided to place Joan Rivers on trial.
Escalating the dispute over striking “Fashion Police” writers, the Council of the Writers Guild of America East has voted to send charges filed against Joan Rivers to a trial board — which could lead to Rivers becoming the first member ever expelled from the WGA East.
Rivers, a lifetime member of the WGA East, faces a hearing before a three-person board over allegations she violated the union’s rules by writing and by performing showrunner duties for the E! Network show, which is not under WGA jurisdiction. Guild members are not allowed to work on non-union shows.
Rivers had no comment but her manager Larry Thompson issued a statement brushing off the WGA’s action and portraying the dispute as a squabble between the network and the guild.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Rivers may not be allowed to bring an attorney with her to the trial and, potentially, could face fines:
With the WGA East sending Joan Rivers off to a trial board for alleged violations related to Fashion Police, the star will be facing what’s likely to be a tough tribunal – and a fine that could be as high as all the money she’s made on the hit E! show in the past year, plus expulsion from the union.
What’s more, she might not be able to bring an attorney when she faces off against those who accuse her of writing Fashion Police jokes while her union writers are on strike. The WGAE rules say that a member at a trial board “may be represented by a Current member in good standing,” but there’s no provision for lawyers. [Emphasis added.]
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