Sweet Victory For Nickelodeon Animation Workers As They Ratify A Groundbreaking New Contract

The Animation Guild has confirmed the ratification of a new contract for Nickelodeon Animation Studio workers, combining protections for 2d, cg, and production workers into one comprehensive contract.

The agreement was ratified by an overwhelming majority of 89% of those who voted.

This has been a hard-fought win for Nickelodeon workers, especially the studio’s production workers. In December 2022, Nick production workers voted to unionize with TAG, but the studio refused voluntary recognition. By January, the studio reversed course and recognized the bargaining unit in what became an early step towards this weeks new agreement.

Under the new contract, workers will receive several improved protections and one entirely new one, including:

• Enhanced bereavement leave: For the first time in TAG history, employees will now have access to three days of bereavement leave, providing crucial support during difficult times.
• Minimum staffing requirements: The contract establishes minimum staffing requirements for writers, requiring at least two staff writers in addition to supervisory roles.
• Increased compensation for storyboard artists: Storyboard artists who undertake writing responsibilities will receive a notable 15% increase to their minimum compensation, recognizing the dual nature of their role and its significance in the production process.
• Wage increases for production workers: A significant increase in wages for production workers, ensuring that they are appropriately rewarded for their contributions.
• Compensation for cg supervisors: In recognition of their specialized skills and leadership roles, CG supervisors will receive a 15% increase to their minimum compensation.

After the contract was ratified, Negotiations Committee member Candice Stephenson explained:

This contract is the direct result of not only a strong public showing of solidarity among our members, but also demonstrates the power of what multiple crafts working together can do.

Kyle Neswald, another member of the committee, was full of praise for the many people who chipped in to see this deal come to fruition:

It’s hard to encapsulate how much effort member-volunteers of the committee put into researching, communicating, informing, organizing, energizing, huddling, retooling, negotiating, arguing, fighting for better terms.

Speaking about the negotiations, The Animation Guild’s business representative Steve Kaplan said:

The work of the Nickelodeon Animation Studios Negotiation Committee mirrored the cohesive solidarity of the Negotiations Committee that bargained the 2021-2024 Master Agreement. We were able to get the company to voluntarily recognize animation production before negotiations and include production workers for the first time. The committee stood strong on all of our priority issues and helped deliver a groundbreaking agreement.

According to a TAG release, workers and studio leadership “look forward to moving forward collaboratively together to continue creating quality content for children and families.”

Brian Keane, Nickelodeon executive vp, production and operations, added:

Nickelodeon Animation Studios is pleased to have reached this agreement with The Animation Guild. This agreement reflects Nickelodeon’s commitment to being a best-in-class workplace and will support the continued growth of our business. We commend the union for their hard work in securing this contract and look forward to our continued collaboration.