More Than 500 WGAE Members and Allies Sign Petition to Support Workers at THE FIRST 48, ALONE, PAWN STARS

NEW YORK, NY (March 6, 2025) – After a year of bargaining, the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) delivered a petition to management at nonfiction production company ITV America. Workers are demanding to settle a fair first contract without any further delay, while ITV Studios this week reported record profits, increased advertising revenue and cost savings. 

Among the more than 500 WGAE members and allies who signed the petition are Tim Barnes (THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON), Robert Eggers (NOSFERATU), Tom Fontana (OZ), Gina Gionfriddo (LAW & ORDER), Josh Gondelman (LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER), Paul Haggis (MILLION DOLLAR BABY), Mary Harron (AMERICAN PSYCHO), Soo Hugh (PACHINKO), Shantira Jackson (SAVED BY THE BELL), Jay Katsir (THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT), Matthew Kirsch (THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN) and Bryan Tucker (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE).  

The petition reads:  

We, the film industry professionals and viewers of The First 48, After the First 48, Alone and Pawn Stars, stand with the workers represented by Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) during their ongoing contract negotiations. 

For over a decade, the producers behind the First 48, After the First 48, Alone and Pawn Stars have crafted stories that have captivated, surprised and inspired millions of people. The work done by WGAE-represented workers has not only impacted the lives of the viewers – it has also produced millions of dollars in profit for ITV America, A&E and Warner Brothers Discovery. 

For the past year, ITV America has been negotiating with the union, and the time for them to agree to a fair contract is long past due. That’s why we are urging ITV America to settle a fair and just contract with their WGAE-represented workers in an expeditious manner. Long delays, proposals that are out of line with industry standards, and refusals to respond to important proposals do not reflect well on the company’s stated principles. The workers who create your content deserve fair wages, adequate healthcare coverage, an improved retirement plan and paid family and parental leave. 

We stand united in support of the union’s proposals and their call for a fair and just contract. Many of us know the mental, physical, and financial sacrifices that come with building a sustainable career in the film and television industry. We are calling on ITV America to be the industry leaders they are and set a precedent others can follow to create a more inclusive and transparent work environment. 

With this contract, we believe that ITV America can continue to produce meaningful and profitable content and treat their employees with the respect and dignity they deserve. 

Read the full petition with signees here.  

“After over a year of negotiations, it’s well past time for management at ITV America to come to the table with serious proposals,” said WGAE Film/TV/Streaming Vice President Erica Saleh. “Workers across Nonfiction are building sustainable careers through critical union protections, and we stand united in fighting for the contracts our members deserve.”  

ABOUT THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA EAST
The Writers Guild of America East, AFL-CIO, is a labor union of more than 7,500 members working in film, television, news, podcasts and online media. The Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members; conducts programs, seminars and events on issues of interest to writers; and presents writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America East, visit wgaeast.org.