Writers sign petition against ITV

More than 175 prominent comedy writers have signed a petition urging UK broadcaster ITV to enter a collective bargaining agreement covering its nonfiction writer-producers.

The petition reads: “By refusing to agree to a contract protecting its nonfiction writers and producers, ITV is also showing the back of its hand to us, the men and women who would write comedy/variety shows for ITV – in particular, the men and women ITV apparently expects to write a major new series for NBC starring Neil Patrick Harris.”

It marks the latest chapter in the ongoing dispute between the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) and the UK commercial broadcaster over NBC’s forthcoming remake of ITV format Saturday Night Takeaway.

The WGAE has previously encouraged its members not to work on the remake of the UK variety show amid ongoing discussions with ITV over health benefits, paid time off and minimum levels of compensation.

How I Met Your Mother star Harris, host of the NBC reboot, also took to Twitter to reassure writers the show would employ union members, while WGAE exec director Lowell Peterson told C21 the series would not go ahead without its members.

The petition has been signed by comedy/variety writers who work on shows including The Late Show With David Letterman, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart and Saturday Night Live, among others.

Peterson added: “This petition is a clear message to ITV that this is unacceptable, that a major media conglomerate which expects to build and expand its presence in American television must treat all of its writers and writer-producers with respect.”

In response, ITV has disputed the guild’s claims: “The ITV Studios America affiliate producing Saturday Night Takeaway has a binding agreement with the WGA covering the writers of that series.

“In an entirely separate matter, the WGA has falsely claimed that a different ITV Studios America affiliate has failed to negotiate in good faith in connection with the WGA’s representation of producers and associate producers of reality programming. In truth, the negotiating parties have reached agreement on the great majority of issues, and are working together to resolve any remaining differences.”

At the end of 2014, UK politician Helen Goodman wrote to ITV CEO Adam Crozier expressing her concerns about ITV’s reluctance to reach an agreement with the WGAE over NBC’s version of the popular Ant and Dec-fronted show.

The National Labor Relations Board in the US is also conducting an investigation into unfair labour practice charges alleging that ITV has failed to bargain in good faith and has violated federal labour law.