Hosts for the home shopping network QVC voted to unionize in a National Labor Relations Board election that concluded on Thursday, paving the way for the presenters to join SAG-AFTRA.
During the election, 37 hosts voted to join the national performers’ union while nine voted against, resulting in about 80 percent support. All full-time and part-time QVC and HSN hosts employed at the company’s West Chester, Pennsylvania headquarters, working across linear television as well as livestream and shortform programming, were eligible to participate.
“QVC Group hosts are dedicated professionals who have played a key role in making QVC Group a leader in the live, social shopping industry,” SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin said in a statement. “Like everyone, QVC, HSN and Omni Channel employees deserve fair compensation, AI protections and a stronger voice in decisions that affect their work. All of SAG-AFTRA’s 160,000 members are proud of these individuals for bravely exercising their right to unionize, and we stand with them as they begin bargaining for their first contract.”
“While we have long believed that a direct relationship with team members is the best approach, we respect the outcome of the election and our hosts’ right to make this choice,” a QVC spokesperson said in a statement. “We will work with SAG-AFTRA on the next steps to follow, and our focus remains on supporting our people, delivering for customers and driving the future of live social shopping.”
