Animation Guild Sees “Significant Gaps” With Studios As Talks Keep Up This Week on Deal Terms

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Animation Guild Sees “Significant Gaps” With Studios As Talks Keep Up This Week on Deal Terms

As a seasoned animator with decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and concern as I follow the ongoing negotiations between The Animation Guild and major studios. The stakes are high, not just for me, but for countless animation workers who are grappling with the looming threat of AI disruption in our industry.

This week, the main studios will carry on negotiating with the leaders of Hollywood’s animation union about a fresh three-year agreement, as there are reportedly substantial differences between their current labor and management proposals regarding compensation and working conditions.

On Friday, The Animation Guild announced that although both parties were moving towards an agreement, significant differences remained, necessitating further negotiations. A union representative informed The Hollywood Reporter that they are currently drafting a reaction to the most recent management proposal. As it stands, the union’s contract, which ended on July 31, has been temporarily extended until November 1, providing additional negotiation time for both sides to reach a settlement.

Steve Kaplan, the union’s representative, stated that the Negotiations Committee had persistently and diligently worked on convincing the animation studios to acknowledge and address the changes our members have identified as essential. He added that although progress has been made at a steady but deliberate pace, it hasn’t been as swift as we desired. However, he is optimistic about further collaborations with the committee to urge the studios to take the required steps towards reaching an agreement for the upcoming three years.

The THR (The Hollywood Reporter) has contacted the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the group responsible for management during union talks, seeking their input. This week, the AMPTP will be dealing with simultaneous negotiations, firstly with casting directors whose discussions are set to resume on Monday and Tuesday, and secondly with animation workers.

This upcoming union contract for The Animation Guild is set to be a crucial one, as it addresses the emerging issue of generative AI in animation work. The union has positioned this year’s negotiations as a defining moment that will shape the future of the animation industry. In a report commissioned by the union and published at the start of the year, an economics consulting firm surveyed industry leaders and discovered that around 29% of animation jobs could be impacted by AI within the next three years. Further investigation by The Animation Guild’s AI task force revealed that entry-level positions might be particularly susceptible to disruption or replacement.

As per the union, during the second round of discussions, both parties addressed suggestions on Artificial Intelligence, subcontracting matters, issues unique to specific trades, the streaming aspect of the contract’s supplement, and wage and benefit packages.

On August 12, the Union and the Alliance of Film and Television Producers commenced their negotiations, but they suspended discussions on August 16 before resuming them last week. This coming Tuesday, the union will convene a general meeting with its members to update them on the current status of the negotiations.

During these discussions, it’s essential that we maintain our attention on what truly counts: preserving the jobs and well-being of our association members, while also nurturing the growth of the animation sector,” Jeanette Moreno King, our guild president, emphasized in a statement. “By tackling issues like job stability, fair compensation, and ethical AI implementation, we are not just meeting current demands but also securing the future of animation for upcoming generations.

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2024-09-23 23:25