MTV show abandons Phila.(Problem with Unions)

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/8202377.htm ^ | March 17 | By Michael Klein

[Edit35]

After squabbling with local unions, the producers of the MTV series today gave up on Philadelphia as the site of its 15th season. Taping was to begin in three weeks.

"After considerable evaluation, we are disappointed to announce that Bunim/Murray Productions has decided not to shoot The Real World in Philadelphia," a spokeswoman for the company said this afternoon. She declined to elaborate.

[martin_fierro]

Maybe MTV'll outsource to Bangalore or New Delhi.

[Bob J]

The irony here is everything MTV stands for is represented in the politicans they support and who empower the unions.

[Paleo Conservative]

The irony here is everything MTV stands for is represented in the politicans they support and who empower the unions.

"Dude! What's irony?"

[btcusn]

See, unions ARE good for somthing!!
Jack

[thefactor]

this is all about the unions. they finally got to MTV it seems. MTV side-stepped the unions in all the other cities.

[AF68]

No leftist cesspool TV series to make Philadelphia proud? Too bad; it's so sad.

[I still care]

You mean MTV and Viacom are just limoscene liberals? Surprise, surprise.

But do we REALLY expect MTV to have integrity?

[I still care]

I have to stop posting after 2 in the am. I just can't spell past midnight.

I know, I know, it's limousine.

[Darheel]

Surely the unions are 'celebrating' their 'cause' and 'exposing' the 'lies' of 'big media' and 'big tobacco' and 'big business', ad nauseum. After all, 'free trade' isn't free and is 'harming' the economy and 'exploiting' the 'workers', right? Right?

[BykrBayb]

But within four days, Bunim/Murray had incurred the wrath of the unions by hiring a nonunion company to renovate the former Seamen's Church Institute in Old City, where the cast was to live.

In Philly it's dangerous to hire anyone not in a union.

"Every other production company comes in, sits down and bargains," said Tony Frasco, vice president of Teamsters Local 107, whose members drive and unload vehicles. "The unions are not out to gouge anybody, but this is a union town."

BS! They chased the Girl Scouts out by demanding that they hire union workers to set up the displays for their convention. The Girl Scouts were supposed to set up the displays to earn badges. They ended up cancelling the convention.

It's a matter of "preserving the way of life in Philadelphia," said Pat Gillespie, business manager of the Philadelphia Building Trades Council.

Yes, organized crime is a way of life in Philly. Mob bosses are considered folk heroes.

The MTV series' high profile may have heightened the unions' interest. When it came time to set up the building, next to the Betsy Ross House at Third and Arch Streets, Bunim/Murray hired a construction company that had been picketed by the carpenters at other job sites. That set off fireworks.

For two weeks, Teamsters, painters, carpenters and electricians picketed. A source close to the situation said Bunim/Murray was leery of striking a deal because it would set a precedent. The company also believed the unions might stage an on-camera protest during the four months of taping.

Union workers actually believe they have a right to any job they want. My husband was an independant contractor to a company that closed its doors when the workers voted the union in. These morons actually thought they could sue the owners and force them to open back up!

Mayor Street "blah, blah, blah."

He's a waste of oxygen.

But the preparatory construction - which reportedly was about 70 percent completed - was only part of the unions' issue. The Teamsters demanded jobs once taping started.

Again with the "Gimme, gimme, gimme. I have the right to whatever job I want."

"If [Bunim/Murray chooses] to leave Philadelphia, that's their business," Frasco said. "It wasn't because of the unions. They'll just go to a town that will allow that."

Yes, they are really that stupid.

"We ask for fair wages and benefits, and [then they] make a fuss and take their ball and go home - what kind of real world do they represent?" said Gillespie, of the Building Trades Council. "We'll be called the Neanderthals and the pug uglies because of what we're trying to do."

They didn't ask for anything. They demanded somebody else's jobs. I'm not sure which suits them better; Neanderthals Local 107, or Pug Uglies Local 107.

[lelio]

From the article:

"If [Bunim/Murray chooses] to leave Philadelphia, that's their business," Frasco said. "It wasn't because of the unions. They'll just go to a town that will allow that."

Yeah, MTV just picked up and left for no good reason whatsoever.

In the article it notes that Real World is popular with 18-24 year olds and could bring new blood to a city.

Also its noted that major conventions are avoiding Philly due to labor costs. Sounds like a city on the decline.

[radiohead]

They chased the Girl Scouts out by demanding that they hire union workers to set up the displays for their convention. ... They ended up cancelling the convention.

I knew they had problems w/the unions when the Convention Center opened, but I thought they had been resolved (been out of town for a few years).

It was my understanding that the unions almost stopped the Center from being built/opened due to proposed actions similar to what happened w/the Girl Scout displays. Your regular convention rep knows how to set up his display. He doesn't need a union thug to do it, but that's what the unions wanted - including the electrician's union to plug in any electronic signs/gear. That's it - just plug in the plug.

Sickening.

[brityank]

I know, I know, it's limousine.

Nah; you still got it wrong; here:

"You mean MTV and Viacom are just limobscene liberals?"

Much better.         ;^)

[mhking]

Just damn.

If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[Poohbah]

"Dude! What's irony?"

Don't ask me; I send my shirts out to the cleaners.

[Blue Scourge]

Meh...who cares..I actually watched a little bit of the season they are showing now...it is pathetic...I do get a laugh out of how stupid my generation is often portrayed though. Seems like everyone thinks we just drink ourselves into stupors everynight and try to "hook-up" with the first decent thing we see......very sad.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Hey MTV! Welcome to 'the REAL WORLD'.

[EDINVA]

have you ever seen the violent union battles at the Washington Post .. their philosophy is that unions are good for YOUR company, not ours.

[Bob J]

Yes, laws aren't made for libs, they're made for the little people.