Not just kids at 'Kid Nation'

The Writers Guild is now making noises about working arrangements for the upcoming CBS reality show – as well as reality shows in general. “The folks who write, produce and shoot these shows were subject to illegal and unfair working conditions,” said Patric Verrone, president of the WGA (the guild has been interviewing crew members). “They don’t get paid overtime, they violate consecutive days of work [rules], they don’t get meal breaks. We’ve been saying that for two years now. It’s unfortunate that this kind of business model is now treating kids the same way they’ve been treating adults.” Ever since the reality schtick became popular, the WGA has been trying to unionize producers/writers who craft storylines, "suggest" reactions and even come up with dialogue. The reality issue is bound to come up during the current contract talks. From Television Week:

Unlike the young “Kid Nation” cast, the show’s crew members are employees of a California production company and therefore, argues the WGA, subject to California’s labor law, rather than New Mexico standards. The WGA contends that nonunion employees on “Kid Nation” are classified as hourly employees, yet worked a large number of hours on a fixed rate. “The fixed weekly rate is an illegal method that prevents employees from being paid the overtime they are due,” said Tony Segall, general counsel for the WGA. “Sadly for employees, this happens on virtually every nonunion reality show, not just ‘Kid Nation.’”

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As on most reality show sets, some of the crew positions on “Nation” were covered by a guild and some were not. On Friday, one of the guilds covering the show, the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists, announced it is launching an investigation into reports of abuse of children on the set. (AFTRA covers entertainment professionals such as the show’s host, but not the amateur participants.) “We are concerned about reports of abuse arising from ‘Kid Nation,’” the guild said in a statement. “AFTRA is investigating whether the terms and conditions of the Network Code were violated in the production of ‘Kid Nation.’ We will take all legal and moral steps available to protect the rights of the performers and children on this program.”

Here's more "Kid Nation" background from Nikki Finke.