Canadian union organizing with reality TV workers to stop crew deaths

TORONTO, March 10, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Media Guild is saddened by the news that 10 people, cast and crew of French reality TV series Dropped, were killed in a helicopter crash yesterday in Argentina.

The union is organizing with reality TV workers to improve health and safety standards and working conditions in this country. In a 2013 survey, 54% of workers who go on location told us they have worked in unsafe conditions. That same year, Canadian director John Driftmier was killed in a plane crash in Kenya while filming Canadian series Dangerous Flights.

As one worker wrote recently, "I have come close to dying at sea, in the air and on land."

Later this month, the union will publish a guide book for workers in the industry that will include information on how to stay safe on the job. The union is also seeking to negotiate with production companies to improve working standards in the industry. 

More information is available at http://www.cmg.ca/en/tag/factual-tv/.

SOURCE Canadian Media Guild

Jeanne d'Arc Umurungi, Canadian Media Guild communications director: [email protected], cell: 416-708-4628, toll-free: 1-800-465-4149; Karen Wirsig, Canadian Media Guild organizer: [email protected] or on cell at 416-578-1651;