The Golf Channel’s technicians went on strike today after disagreements over their contracts remain unresolved after months of negotiations.
The technicians, who belong to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, first threatened a work stoppage earlier this week over issues with compensation and work hours, and they officially went on strike this morning. That left the channel with skeleton crews of non-union workers for the several tournaments they were filming today—with limited camera angles on fewer golfers available, and clearly blurry or shaky footage at times.
“We are focusing on the final groups and final holes tonight because some technicians walked out on the job earlier today,” broadcaster George Savaricas announced during the channel’s coverage of the Sony Open. “Similar events happened at other tournaments in the Bahamas and Orlando. Our teams at the web.com tour and the Diamond Resorts Invitational did a great job, and now our team right here is ready to do our best.”