Network Reality Shows Going Union?

The free ride of cheapo reality shows is coming to an end. They'll always be cheaper than fiction programming, but the super-cheap beginnings of reality TV are ending, thanks to unionizing on numerous fronts. The NLRB has set a Dec 6 vote for people behind the scenes on "America's Next Top Model" and the WGA is suing and pushing to represent the writers of that show on several fronts. Previously, the writers on reality shows were kept secret to maintain the illusion of complete spontaneity, plus the networks were paying the writers below-market prices, expecting them and the producers and editors to turn mountains of footage into episodes in record time, all while paying them below-market prices and expecting the employees to be grateful they were getting their foot in the door of Hollywood. That's all going to end soon and "ANTM" is the first front on that war.