Major Hollywood Unions And Guilds Issue Joint Statement Urging Studios To ‘Value And Respect’ Animation Workers

With just a few days before the beginning of contract negotiations between animation workers and entertainment companies, the animation community is getting some love and support from other Hollywood unions.

Eleven entertainment unions have issued the following joint statement of solidarity with The Animation Guild (TAG):

We stand with the members of TAG as they seek contractual provisions that set fair wages and working conditions, prevent overwork, and safeguard workers from the impact of artificial intelligence. TAG negotiates independently of IATSE’s West Coast Studio Locals to address the unique priorities of animation workers, and they do so with our full collective backing. We also call on the AMPTP to negotiate in good faith, show you value and respect your animation workers, and make meaningful moves to address their specific priorities.

The unions that signed the statement were:

• The American Federation of Musicians (AFM)
• Directors Guild of America (DGA)
• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 40 (IBEW)
• International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 399 (IBT)
• Laborers International Union of North America Local 724 (LiUNA!)
• Operating Plasterers & Cement Masons International Association (OPCMIA) Local 755
• Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)
• United Association Plumbers Local 78 (UA)
• Writers Guild of America East (WGAE)
• Writers Guild of America West (WGAW)

Next Monday, The Animation Guild will begin negotiating with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents the entertainment companies, to create an updated Master Collective Bargaining Agreement. The current contract extension on TAG’s agreement with the studios is set to expire on Friday, August 16.

Cartoon fans and union members across the entire film industry are being encouraged to attend the Stand With Animation Rally in Burbank this Saturday.