IATSE Strikes Against CoComelon The Melon Patch Production

Crew members working on the live-action YouTube series “CoComelon: The Melon Patch” walked off the production set in Sun Valley, California, on May 6, 2026, initiating a strike over labor disputes and deteriorating working conditions.

The walkout, organized by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), occurred on the seventh day of a 16-day shoot for the series’ second season. The striking group consists of a 22-person crew that carried over from the first season of the production.

According to reports from the Los Angeles Times and Deadline, the workers are protesting a lack of staffing and excessive workloads. The crew also cited potential rate cuts as a primary driver for their decision to organize.

Union Recognition and Labor Disputes

The conflict escalated after the crew presented union cards to the producer to signify their desire to organize and engage in collective bargaining. The producer reportedly refused to recognize the crew’s effort to unionize.

In a statement provided to the Los Angeles Times, IATSE detailed the motivations behind the organization effort.

“The crew on this project experienced firsthand what working conditions can be like on a non-union production and organized for fair wages and industry-standard benefits after they started the second season,”

IATSE

The union further alleged on social media that the production attempted to bypass the crew by seeking replacement workers.

“Rather than provide fair wages and benefits to the crew the producer is trying to hire scabs for the production that’s shooting in Sun Valley, Calif,”

IATSE

Picket Line and Production Status

The striking workers are currently picketing outside the Stage This studio in Sun Valley. While the production has reportedly attempted to replace the striking crew members, those efforts have been largely unsuccessful.

One specific instance of this resistance occurred when the production hired a gaffer who is a member of IATSE Local 80. Instead of reporting for duty, the gaffer joined the picket line on May 7, 2026.

Moonbug Entertainment, the company responsible for producing the series, has declined to comment on the strike or the allegations regarding working conditions.

Series and Franchise Background

“CoComelon: The Melon Patch” is a live-action spinoff of the original “CoComelon” franchise, which primarily exists as an animated series. The spinoff launched in 2025 and stars Allie Rivera Quiñonez as the preschool teacher Ms. Appleberry.

While the live-action spinoff is a YouTube series, many of the animated series produced for Netflix are already covered under IATSE’s animation agreement.

The strike comes amid a period of expansion for the “CoComelon” brand. Universal Pictures has a feature-length “CoComelon” film scheduled for release in February 2027. The original animated series is slated to move from Netflix to Disney+ next year.