#The Animation Guild

[chillyfeetsteak]

[piinfeathers]

just in case anyone missed this in the news or maybe not in the loop, Disney is currently refusing to meet with or acknowledge the newly formed animation production workers union that just voted to join IASTE and become an official part of TAG, the animators and animation artists guild

production workers across all studios are currently voting to be recognized for their hard work and invaluable skill at keeping these productions running, but studios are refusing to meet with them to let them negotiate deals or even exist

as someone who works in animation as a designer i know i wouldn't be able to do my job at all without any of my production workers. they are the incredibly hard working people who oversee pretty much everything in animation. they make sure everything is running on time, that schedules are being followed, they have to know pretty much every single word of the scripts and beats from the storyboards to make sure nothing is missed, and most importantly, they make sure artists are being taken care of and not overworked. they really are the unsung heroes of the animation world

production workers are also by far the most exploited workers in animation currently. they make about a fraction of what artists make for just as much work put in, and currently have no agreement for health coverage or other benefits that artists protected by the union are guaranteed

BUT! there is some good news. right now there's a petition on IATSE's website that has over 80,000 signatures currently addressed to disney leadership to do the right thing and meet with this new union and recognized their vote to form. it still needs roughly 21,000 signatures and only takes a minute to sign! anyone with a zip or postal code can sign, meaning both US and Canadian residents can sign and help this union get the deal it deserves!!

[mollykflood]

I remember this old song and dance.

Animation is under attack! My union, the Animation Guild, is in the middle of negotiations with the AMPTP to gain a new contract for animation. We’re fighting against being exploited, against AI taking jobs, and the future of this industry!

Please please be loud in your support of animation and its workers by using the #StandWithAnimation and stay informed HERE HERE AND HERE

[fans4wga]

The Animation Guild Announces Unionization Efforts At Warner Bros. And Cartoon Network

EDIT: Because people are misreading this, please note: it is animation production workers specifically who are joining the pre-existing TAG (The Animation Guild) union.

Animators and animation writers are already covered under TAG. This news story is specifically about WB animation production workers.

News story text:

"Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network production workers are attempting to unionize with The Animation Guild (TAG).

A petition was filed with the National Labor Relations Board today requesting a union election. The petition includes 66 staffers at Warner Bros. Animation and 22 at Cartoon Network, including roles like production manager, digital production assistant, IT technician, production coordinator, production assistant, design production coordinator, assistant production manager and senior assistant production manager.

They are involved in such Warner Bros. projects as Batman: The Caped Crusader, Harley Quinn and Teen Titans Go! and Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, We Baby Bears and Craig of the Creek.

The workers also requested voluntary recognition from management at the Warner Bros. Discovery subsidiaries.

A tweet was issued confirming the move, which was officially announced earlier on a joint Zoom call.

“Although many might not think it, production is a specialized skill; we might not be artists or writers, but what we bring to the table goes beyond traditional creativity and gets content on the air,” Warner Bros. Animation production manager Hannah Ferenc said in a statement about the organization effort. “Having lived through the existing state of the animation industry for the past seven years, I want to make sure that not only our current workers, but all those who choose to join us in the future, can feel secure in following their passion by earning livable wages and being treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

The Animation Guild has already established bargaining units on shows like Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites, The Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad!  It also is active at studios like Titmouse New York and L.A. and ShadowMachine. Establishment at Walt Disney Animation Studios is currently in progress."

[pazam]

Typical negotiations ;)

[thefirsthogokage]

Whoohoo!

[Image ID: a tweet from Animation Guild Writers (@TAGwriters) from July 19th, 2023 that reads:

Awesome news! Warner Bros. and Cartoon Network production workers have organized to join TAG! Welcome to these heroes! Let’s celebrate! #ProductionStrong @animationguild

A long with it is an animated picture with a pink IATSE shield up in the left hand corner, a yellow spring in the top right corner, and it read PRO STRONG. There are several arms of animated characters raised with a fist. Just the arms. Each one is from a recognizable character, including Jake the Dog and I believe Jonny Bravo. Other people might be able to identify the other ones.

/End ID]

TAG's contract is up in 2024. If you're showing up for the WGA strike and the SAG-AFTRA strike, please remember to show up for them too. They're a tiny guild, they'll probably be striking, and they'll need all the help they can get!

[karlicartoons]

ANIMATION FANS, WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Yesterday, the day before Lightbox Expo, over 800 TAG members marched to Netflix’ headquarters & delivered a petition demanding the AMPTP keep animation jobs union, agree to AI protections, & more. SHOW THE AMPTP YOU STAND WITH ANIMATION!!

Sign your name next to the people that make the shows you love: animationguild.org/tagpetition

WE REALLY REALLY REALLY NEED YOUR SUPPORT!! Over the years, I have been asked by numerous fans how they can help us keep the animation industry from collapsing. Taking this action now will directly help our fight! I’m on The Animation Guild’s negotiations committee this year. I have been in the conference call with the AMPTP.

They do not see us as human.

They want us to lose our jobs, our homes, and our entire livelihoods.

They want to REPLACE ALL OF US and give YOU AI-generated slop, because they do not fucking care about this industry.

PLEASE HELP!!

[meruz]

been seeing a lot of posting on twitter/ig but not much here. if ur in the socal/LA area and ur free for an hour or two this weekend u should definitely come to the animation rally. build hype and show support for the upcoming negotions.. if the rally has a strong turnout, it will make union negotiations for a better animation contract with the big studios easier...! friends, family, fans r all welcome - open to all!

more info here, eventbrite rsvps are sold out but dont worry abt that, it was just capped to get a headcount u dont need an rsvp to attend

(and if u cant make it rbs are appreciated lol ❤️)

[lorryicious]

think I just saw u on Alex Hirsch’s insta story. saw someone holding a sign that looked suspiciously similar to ur Bill teehee

HI JUST SAW THIS AND IM ACTUALLY LOSING MY MIND. I JUST SAW THE POST. AGH!!!?!?!!?

YES I WAS THERE!! I have wanted to get involved with the union so bad and HAD to go!! :DD THATS SO COOL U PROBABLY DID SEE ME

[iww-gnv]

The Animation Guild has succeeded in its bid to establish a union in Texas. Austin-headquartered Powerhouse Animation Studios (Castlevania, Sonic Frontiers: Divergence) has voluntarily recognized a bargaining unit of 129 artists and production workers that sought to join the IATSE Local, the union announced on Thursday. TAG first started unionizing animation studios outside of L.A. County in 2022 with its push at Harriet the Spy studio Titmouse New York, but its new union at Powerhouse Animation marks its first in a so-called “right-to-work” state.

[thecartooncartoonshow]

As negotiations between the AMPTP and T.A.G. (@animationguild) continue forward... we STILL need to continue supporting all the talented artists and animators who help bring "Craig of the Creek", "Jessica's Big Little World" and DOZENS of other animated films and series' to life, as they're fighting for better payments, better work schedules, and better protection against A.I.

We encourage ALL OF YOU to spread the word across the internet by sharing this post to everyone you know, or making your own posts using #stand with animation and help keep the Animation Industry from becoming a A.I. generated nightmare.

[chillyfeetsteak]

did you know The Animation Guild is holding a rally tomorrow (8/10) in Burbank, CA and ANYONE is welcome to attend?? Come out and show support for our union ahead of contract negotiations!

Do you watch or enjoy animation? Wish shows would stop getting cancelled and shelved? Want to avoid having to look at AI slop? Think workers should earn a fair wage and have protections? Stand with us in solidarity!

We need YOUR support! Join #AnimationGuild members on 8/10 at 5 PM at IATSE Local 80 to show our strength before negotiations. Together, we can make a difference! 💪 Spread the word - everyone is welcome!

[littledigits]

the staff shrinkage, scope creep and outsourcing has been happening more and more. i say this as someone who has historically worked on outsourced shows. They will cut the corners until there is nothing left if we dont support the workers, its been over 15 years since I started and I see everyone backed into a corner. Let this be a reminder to never put studios up on a pedestal, the artists who gave you that feeling of wonder and whimsy are the ones who fight every day to make stories sincere *DESPITE OF* the brand name, not because of it. The culture of animation should shift to put power behind the artists, not the IP or the studio you may work at. Despite the last decade being a boom for animation, no one has come out stronger or richer but the CEOS. the more we get buzz around the situation with workers the better it helps out everyone no matter what country. We all deserve respect !

[mollykflood]

#StandWithAnimation

Please sign our petition and reblog!

[probablyasocialecologist]

Sixty-six staffers at Warner Bros. Animation and 22 at Cartoon Network filed a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday and simultaneously requested voluntary recognition from management at the Warner Bros. Discovery subsidiaries. Collectively, the group includes workers in roles like production manager, digital production assistant, IT technician, production coordinator, production assistant, design production coordinator, assistant production manager and senior assistant production manager. The effort was announced on a joint Zoom call around noon on Wednesday with production workers at the Warner Bros. Discovery brands and TAG members. The staffers involved work on an array of shows, including Warner Bros. Animation’s Batman: The Caped Crusader, Harley Quinn and Teen Titans Go! and Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, We Baby Bears and Craig of the Creek. “Although many might not think it, production is a specialized skill; we might not be artists or writers, but what we bring to the table goes beyond traditional creativity and gets content on the air,” Warner Bros. Animation production manager Hannah Ferenc said in a statement about the organization effort. “Having lived through the existing state of the animation industry for the past seven years, I want to make sure that not only our current workers, but all those who choose to join us in the future, can feel secure in following their passion by earning livable wages and being treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

[cartoonbudartz]

After hearing about the recent layoffs going on Dreamworks, I felt compelled to draw this in solidarity. Let’s hope that soon, the entertainment industry will learn to respect their animators.