Yahoo News Dancing with the Stars contestants allowed to compete during strike
SAG-AFTRA has confirmed that Dancing With the Stars contestants are allowed to compete amid the ongoing writers and actors strikes.
The union issued a statement, offering support for its participating members, after stars including Matt Walsh and Alyson Hannigan have come under pressure to pull out. The new season begins on September 26.
"We support them in fulfilling their contractual obligations. The majority of our members on Dancing with the Stars had contractual obligations to the show prior to the strike," SAG-AFTRA's statement said (via Deadline).
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"Many are under option agreements that require them to return to the show if the producer exercises their option, which the producer has done."
The union added that as part of the Network Code Collective Bargaining Agreement, the stars are also subject to a no-strike clause.
"By not showing up to work, our performers can be held in breach of contract and the Union is prohibited from advising them not to work."
While its own members are legally obligated to participate, SAG-AFTRA offered its support to the WGA, saying: "We stand with our union siblings across the industry as we also recognise our obligations under federal labor law."
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The statement comes after Veep's Walsh, who is a member of both SAG-AFTRA and the WGA, announced that he was pausing his involvement on the show "until an agreement is made with the WGA" (via Variety).
He continued: "I was excited to join the show and did so under the impression that it was not a WGA show and fell under a different agreement.
"This morning when I was informed by my union, the WGA, that it is considered struck work I walked out of my rehearsal. I have been and will always stand with my union members of the WGA, SAG and DGA.
"Beyond our union artists, I am sensitive to the many people impacted by the strike and I hope for a speedy and fair resolution, and to one day work again with all the wonderful people I met at DWTS who tolerated my dancing."
Dancing with the Stars streams live on Disney+ in the US.
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