SAG-AFTRA Supports Bethenny Frankel's Reality TV Residuals Fight

justjared.com:

SAG-AFTRA is rallying behind Bethenny Frankel. In late July, the 52-year-old Real Housewives of New York alum released a video in which she reacted to the dual SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike and questioned why reality stars weren’t also striking.

She subsequently hired two attorneys to help launch her campaign to protect reality TV stars from exploitation from networks and studios.

THR writes that the guild has released a statement in support of Bethenny‘s fight. Keep reading to find out what SAG-AFTRA said in its statement… “We stand ready to assist Bethenny Frankel, Bryan Freedman and Mark Geragos along with reality performers and our members in the fight and are tired of studios and production companies trying to circumvent the Union in order to exploit the talent that they rely upon to make their product,” the guild wrote. “We encourage any reality performers and/or members to reach out to SAG-AFTRA’s Entertainment Contracts Department so that we may work together toward the protection of the reality performers ending the exploitative practices that have developed in this area and to engage in a new path to Union coverage.” Bethenny‘s lawyer Bryan Freedman thanked SAG-AFTRA in a statement to THR. “Networks and studios have encouraged, promoted, created and fostered an environment which profits from subjecting reality performers to deplorable working conditions, little or no pay, illegal contracts and actual criminal conduct,” he said. “SAG-AFTRA‘s iconic commitment today to join Bethenny Frankel and other reality performers in this fight is a watershed moment that serves notice to these profiteers that financial gain is not a sufficient justification for the abhorrent mistreatment of unprotected workers.” Last month,