Artists from DreamWorks, Netflix and ‘Ted’ Show vote to collaborate with The Animation Guild
DreamWorks Animation (DWA) remote workers in the United States, production workers at Netflix Animation Studios and production workers on the show ‘Ted’ have officially voted to unionize with the Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) and the Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700), in an effort to ensure fair pay and treatment for all animation workers.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) vote count for DWA remote workers resulted in a “yes” majority in favor of union representation at the Animation Guild. DreamWorks Animation Studio will formally recognize the remote bargaining unit under TAG and begin negotiating a contract.
The newly recognized unit represents remote workers living throughout the U.S. who contribute to LA-based DWA animation projects for both feature films and television. These employees perform work already covered by TAG’s Master Agreement when done on-site at the LA County campus, and include roles as story artists, animators, character effects artists, technical directors, lighters, visual development artists, modelers and production coordinators.
Remote workers have been organized to address long-standing inequalities between remote locations and on campus
staff. Recognition by the Union creates the way forward for collective bargaining aimed at securing collective bargaining
equal treatment and sustainable working conditions for remote workers.
TAG business representative Steve Kaplan said: “These units voted overwhelmingly in favor
TAG representation after facing the humiliating process of being forced into NLRB elections and the
unnecessary delay of the government shutdown.” He added: “We continue to expand our jurisdiction, both within and beyond the scope of our Master Agreement, as we continue to look forward
protecting the rights of all animation workers, regardless of zip code.”
Anthony Holden, a remote artist and organizing committee member based in Washington State, said, “I appreciated the opportunity to help unite our voices in seeking equality with our campus counterparts in areas including employee rights, fair pay, access to health care and retirement benefits. We look forward to negotiating with the company to broker a fair agreement that will foster a work environment that is equitable for remote workers and contribute to DreamWorks’ commercial and artistic success.”
Lead production staff at Netflix Animation Studios and production staff on the ‘Ted’ show are also celebrating their own NLRB wins to join TAG and the Editors Guild. The elections took place on December 23 and December 30 respectively.
“During my five years at NAS, my incredible production colleagues deliver every day with dedication, passion and a wide range of skills and experience, both creative and strategic,” said Production Coordinator Erin Sullivan. “As part of TAG, I am excited about the opportunity we now have to represent ourselves as a unit, and I am encouraged by the other production management teams in our industry who have set the bar.”
