‘Fashion Star’ producers and union settle strike

Crew members from the reality TV series “Fashion Star” ended their strike, four days after walking off the job in a dispute over union representation.

Production of the show was suspended Saturday when about 75 crew members struck and began picketing outside Hollywood Center Studios at 8 a.m. Crew members have been seeking to secure health and pension benefits.
But Tuesday evening the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees called off the strike after successfully negotiating a new contract with the show’s producers, said a person familiar with the negotiations who asked not to be identified because the talks were confidential.

Production of the show is expected to resume on Wednesday. “Fashion Star,” which features Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie, John Varvatos and Louise Roe (who has replaced Elle Macpherson) as judges, is produced by former NBC executive Ben Silverman’s company Electus, Magical Elves Productions and 5X5 Media.

IATSE waged a strike against the reality TV series “The Biggest Loser” in 2010 and has since had disputes with producers of several other shows, including TNT‘s ‘The Great Escape’ and Spike TV’s “1000 Ways to Die.”

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