FremantleMedia is the producer of American Idol, the highest-rated show on TV. In addition, it produces network primetime programs including America's Got Talent (NBC), Million Dollar Password (CBS), and Farmer Wants a Wife (CW). FremantleMedia makes huge profits but its writers and other behind-the-scenes workers often face substandard and illegal working conditions. A group of FremantleMedia employees recently filed claims with the California Labor Commissioner alleging an assortment of labor law violations, including unpaid overtime and failure to provide state-mandated meal or rest breaks.

 “We are on this American Idol Truth Tour to stand up to companies like FremantleMedia and help bring an end to these illegal practices by exposing the conditions,” said WGAW President Patric M. Verrone.

“We believe everyone wants, needs, and deserves a voice on the job. You only have a voice if you're at the table, and we're here to see that everyone has a voice to help take on corporate America,” added IBT Director of Organizing Jeff Farmer.

Former FremantleMedia game show writer Aaron Solomon told the audience: "We're here today to celebrate Fremantle's success and to encourage them to do the right thing…and share their success with the writers and employees who work so hard to produce their shows.”

As a FremantleMedia employee, former American Idol production assistant Justin Buckles recounted that he regularly worked seven days a week, 15-20 hours a day, on the hit show. “I was not properly paid overtime and when I calculated all the hours I worked, my hourly rate was less than $4.50 an hour. I'm standing up on behalf of all the workers on reality TV to say enough is enough. We are asking to be respected as workers, and we demand that production companies like FremantleMedia treat us fairly,” he said.

Actors Ken Pringle (Yo Mamma), Gary Anthony Williams (Boston Legal), Kieren Van Der Blink (Numb3rs, Without A Trace), and Rebekah Kochan (Eating Out 1 & 2) also joined supporters on the Tour bus.

The American Idol Truth Tour will continue across the country, and future events will be held at other audition cities to be announced. A special event will be held on August 19 outside the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where this season's American Idol auditions will wrap up.

For more info about the American Idol Truth Tour - and the harsh reality of working conditions on “reality” TV - please visit: www.truthaboutfremantle.com.

For press photos from today's American Idol Truth Tour event at the Cow Palace, please visit the following link. (Photo credit: David Bacon)

For press photos from the American Idol Truth Tour kick-off in Los Angeles on July 16, please visit the following link. (Photo credit: Michael Jones)

The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) represents writers in the motion picture, broadcast, cable, and new media industries in both entertainment and news. The union conducts numerous programs, seminars, and events throughout the world on issues of interest to, and on behalf of, writers. For more information, please visit: www.wga.org.