As Negotiations Drag On, Animation Guild Members March on DreamWorks

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As Negotiations Drag On, Animation Guild Members March on DreamWorks

As a dedicated animation enthusiast with years of passion for this vibrant industry, I find myself deeply moved by the courage and resilience displayed by the members of The Animation Guild (TAG). Having watched countless hours of animated masterpieces over the years, it’s heartening to see these talented individuals standing up for their rights and the future of their craft.

On Tuesday, animators strolled to the offices of DreamWorks Animation to submit a petition calling for a “fair agreement.” This action was taken just days before the resumption of their union contract talks.

A group of employees and advocates marched to Netflix’s office in Glendale to hand over a union-prepared petition, which they had also presented during a previous protest on October 24th. The union reports that several hundred people participated in this most recent rally. According to the petition, members of The Animation Guild (TAG), IATSE Local 839, are experiencing unusually high levels of unemployment, despite animation continuing to thrive on screens and in merchandise sales. “Companies have made questionable choices during the streaming wars, and it is now the animation workers who are bearing the brunt of these decisions,” the petition asserts.

The Animation Guild is organizing a “March on the Boss” campaign as a show of unity, during crucial contract talks that will decide how local union studios integrate generative AI into their work.

As a dedicated fan and member of this union, I’m deeply concerned about recent developments. It seems that some executives have made decisions to halt animated projects, tighten production timelines and budgets, and outsource our work to locations offering lower costs. Despite our efforts in keeping content alive during the COVID-19 lockdown, we’re now facing the potential loss of our healthcare benefits, homes, and livelihoods. This is our union’s plea for fair treatment and consideration.

The document, signed by approximately 58,000 individuals, outlines that during their ongoing negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the union is advocating for wage hikes, safeguards for generative AI, and limits on outsourcing local jobs. As stated by the union, these key concerns are still being discussed. The petition asserts, “Our TAG members deserve a reasonable agreement that upholds our industry with fair wages and job stability. We won’t accept a contract that disregards our requirements.” The union is prepared to exert as much effort as necessary and stand united for however long it takes.

Six days before the scheduled resumption of negotiations on November 18th, the union is ramping up the tension. In a statement made towards the end of October, their lead negotiator, Steve Kaplan, expressed optimism that both parties are approaching an agreement. However, for now, the contract’s deadline has been pushed back to December 2nd.

In her speech to the demonstrators on Tuesday, character designer Michelle Drennan expressed that the AMPTP has failed to respond in a practical manner to our most critical demands. Referring to “unforeseen and life-threatening” challenges facing the animation industry, she emphasized, “We’re not going to remain idle while these issues persist.

Animator Ashley McGivern expressed her concerns in a statement, saying, “I’ve chosen to come here because I’m deeply frustrated by the lack of a lasting solution for us.” She continued, “For decades, animators’ roles have been sent overseas, and we’re frequently undervalued. This trend is now affecting storyboard artists and layout artists, and I don’t want to see our industry disappear.

The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to DreamWorks Animation and the AMPTP for comment.

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2024-11-13 03:25