The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839 (TAG), announces that three different groups of animation workers have declared they are forming a union with TAG this week. These campaigns underscore the significant momentum for labor organizing across the animation industry, from streaming features to prime-time productions to independent studios, the Union asserts.
After nearly two years of organizing, a group of 60 production workers at Netflix Animation Studios (feature productions) has submitted a request for union recognition to the studio.
“Production workers in animation deserve the same protections as artists — we deserve to fight for sustainable careers,” says Ana Tessier, production coordinator at Netflix. “I’m so thrilled that now we’ll have a seat at the negotiating table. I’m equally inspired by organizing efforts at other studios — the more studios start to unionize, the more we can create a stable future for the animation industry at large.”
Simultaneously, a group of 12 production workers on the series Ted (NBCUniversal) has also requested to join The Animation Guild and The Editors Guild, IATSE Local 700. Though small in size, the members of this mighty unit have been a force in achieving their goals to unionize.
“We’ve been hard at work the last two months trying to get this show on the road and it’s incredible to see what we’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time — and to see all the bravery and camaraderie that’s come along with it!” says Ted production coordinator Kelly Simmons. “It’s been inspiring to see so many production teams joining the union over the last few years. I hope others will find our efforts equally inspiring and feel encouraged to fight for positive change in their own workplaces.”
“For the last five years, production workers at almost every major animation studio in Southern California have demanded recognition for the essential role they play keeping the animation pipeline flowing,” says organizer Allison Smartt. “Many union production workers are negotiating their second contracts, proof that this movement is here to stay. From DreamWorks to Disney to Nickelodeon, they continue to fight for living wages, demand respect for their crafts, and negotiate strong contracts. Now it’s time for production workers at Netflix and Ted to join this community and access the same opportunities.”
While most animation artists, writers and technicians working on Los Angeles-based projects have traditionally been represented by TAG, there are some independent studios that are not working under a union contract. Animation artists at SpindleHorse requested and received voluntary recognition on Wednesday, September 16, from the independent studio founded by creator and TAG member Vivienne Medrano to be represented by TAG.
Known for working on the Prime Video series Hazbin Hotel in collaboration with Bento Box, SpindleHorse also produces Helluva Boss, whose third season premiered on September 10. The upcoming second season of Hazbin Hotel will premiere on October 29. This unit includes 106 artists across multiple crafts — storyboard artists, background designers, illustrators, 2D FX artists and more — who are looking forward to negotiating a first contract.
“SpindleHorse is leading the charge in the indie animation industry by pushing for stability for its passionate and highly creative team. We look forward to working with SpindleHorse to overcome boundaries and show what dedicated artists can achieve in the indie scene!” says Melanie An, clean up/renderer.
Adds storyboard artist Amelia Kasten, “I am so thrilled for us to move forward with negotiating a collective bargaining agreement that will not only elevate Spindle as a studio but will also allow these incredible employees to take ownership of their careers and build a more sustainable community at our home studio that benefits all!”
Most of the artists at SpindleHorse work remotely across the U.S. and outside of L.A. County on L.A.-based projects. Often, remote workers are not provided the same wages and benefits as artists working on the same projects at union-covered studios.
“As a national local, TAG has the backs of animation workers regardless of their ZIP codes so long as they are willing to stand up for themselves and their co-workers,” says TAG Organizer Ben Speight.
Correction note: Information provided by TAG previously identified Ted as a DreamWorks/NBCUniversal production.
The Animation Guild, also known as Local 839 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), was founded in 1952. The labor union represents more than 5,000 artists, technicians, writers and production workers in the animation industry, advocating for improved wages and conditions.
