Guild Members Ratify New Agreement

The members of The Animation Guild, Local 839 IATSE, have ratified the new 2015-2018 contract, which the Guild negotiated with animation studios represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) from June 29 to July 1st of this year. The Guild, though one of the West Coast production locals in the IATSE, negotiates separately from the IA’s west coast bargaining unit. Percentage-wise, the Animation Guild’s overall ratification vote ran 68% higher than in 2012.

The new collective bargaining agreement includes 3% annual wage increases to contract minimums, a 10% pension increase, and 30% increases for contribution hours under Animation Guild’s unit rates. Additionally, a new pay structure and higher benefit contributions were negotiated for freelance Timing Directors.

Add On:

The members have spoken. We had higher voter participation in the contract ratification than three years ago. Something like 50% higher.

One of the reasons this contract was approved by a goodly margin was, animation has the wind at its back. Animation is doing huge business across every platform: Theatrical features. Subscription Video on Demand. Cable networks. Broadcast networks. And animation continues to be one of the most profitable corners of the motion picture industry.

With cash flows as wide as the Mississippi, it's hard for companies to argue that they need relief. To their credit (for once), they didn't.

-- Steve Hulett