The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes won the right to represent Bobwell Productions, creators of “Blind Date” and “The 5th Wheel,” it was announced by Thomas C. Short, International President. In a National Labor Relations Board election, sixty post-production professionals voted to become part of IATSE Local 700 by a 36-23 margin. Employees who will be affected are both full and part time and include editors, assistant editors, graphic designers and duplication operators.

The two well-known shows follow CBS “Big Brother” and reality TV giant Endemol’s “Perfoming As…” into the union column and represent important victories for the IATSE. Much of the reality television world had been non-union up until recently.

“It is critically important for our union to keep organizing these shows,” said International President Tom Short. “This work is ours, and it needs to be union.”

Tris Carpenter, National Organizer with the Motion Picture Editors Guild, IATSE Local 700, led the drive.