Cast of Studios Tour Show Is Fired : Universal Looking for a New ‘A-Team’

Universal Studios Tour is hiring permanent replacements for 13 striking cast members of the tour’s “A-Team Live Action Show,” Universal-MCA spokesman Steven Lew said Friday.

The 13 men, who crash motorcycles and perform other stunts in a 24-minute show based on the popular NBC action series, “The A-Team,” did not show up for work Sept. 17 after their non-union contract with Universal-MCA expired and negotiations with management broke down.

According to Ralph Baker, one of the 13, the stunt men walked out when management countered their request for a $5-per-performance raise by offering to cut their current pay of $65 per performance to about $50. Many of the men have been performing in the show since its inception 15 months ago.

Lew would not comment on details of the negotiations but said: “We made our final offer Sept. 16. They chose not to accept. Therefore negotiations broke off.” He added, “They will be permanently replaced.”

Baker said the stunt men received telegrams from management this week advising them they would be replaced if they didn’t report for work Friday morning on the company’s terms. Instead of going to Universal, several of the men filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board in Los Angeles, alleging unfair labor practices.

Baker said the men still hope they will get their jobs back, but that they understand several replacements have been hired already. Lew confirmed that casting was taking place and said the show would reopen in three or four weeks with a new cast.

Lew said no further negotiations with the 13 are planned.

He also said that a new performer had been hired to play the difficult-to-cast role of Mr. T.