SANTA CLARITA / ANTELOPE VALLEY : Workers on TV Show’s Set Continue Their Strike : Labor: Crew members enter the fourth day of the protest. They criticize poor working conditions on CBS’s new series, ‘Harts of the West.’

Film crew members enter their fourth day of a strike today after walking off the set of a CBS prime-time television show amid allegations of poor working conditions.

About 50 workers and union representatives picketed the Sable Ranch in Santa Clarita’s Sand Canyon Wednesday, where “Harts of the West”--CBS’s flagship new series--is being filmed.

Half a dozen picketers circled the entrance of the ranch, carrying pro-union placards and encouraging passing motorists to honk their horns in support. Others stood clumped in small groups along the sides of the road, talking. Two men passed the time by throwing a football between them.

Crew members, including cinematographers, camera operators, wardrobe designers, lighting technicians and set decorators, have complained of 70-hour workweeks, a lack of overtime pay and failure to provide meals to work crews on a timely basis.

“We decided that there’s a lot of labor laws being broken,” said Pamela Peitzman, a key makeup artist for the program.

Workers say the show’s production company--Kushner-Locke and its subsidiary Acme Productions--refuses to recognize the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees that striking crew members want to represent them.

“All we’re asking is for them to talk with the union,” said a camera operator who did not wish to be identified. “That’s what it’s all about.”

“Usually we can bargain and negotiate when the whole crew walks out, but this company is being very hard-line,” said Lyle Trachtenberg, international representative for the union.

Calls to the production company were not returned by press time.

“Harts of the West” stars Beau and Lloyd Bridges and is scheduled to premiere Sept. 25. It will air Saturdays from 9 to 10 p.m.

Beau Bridges is also executive producer of the program and talked with crew members earlier this week in an attempt to resolve the dispute. He could not be reached for comment.

The hourlong program centers on a 41-year-old lingerie salesman who suffers a heart attack and moves to Sholo, Nev., to operate a dilapidated ranch, said Susan Marks, senior publicist for CBS.

Marks declined to comment regarding the labor dispute or what impact it may have on the program. She said four episodes have been completed in addition to the pilot.