tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post3714860310426089647..comments2024-03-26T22:42:06.412-07:00Comments on TAG Blog: Union Benefits Benefitting EmployersSteve Huletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05537689111433326847noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-69202529036237257812011-10-04T22:04:06.532-07:002011-10-04T22:04:06.532-07:00I have always wanted to be back in the union, I to...I have always wanted to be back in the union, I took jobs that paid equivalent but there weren't many here jobs let alone union jobs. Nice to be back.TotalDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10850147439669337932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-3461190623189626952011-10-03T14:40:10.124-07:002011-10-03T14:40:10.124-07:00I love my job working on The Simpsons, and am incr...I love my job working on The Simpsons, and am incredibly fortunate for the steady work it has given me. It's truly a blessing in this time of uncertainty. Although I never had the privilege of working at Film Roman during Phil's time, I've always enjoyed my time here, as well as the wonderful, talented people that surround me.<br /><br />As a union studio now, every year of my employment is a year that helps me build a meaningful pension for retirement. This affords me a peace of mind I can't find at a non-union studio. Personally, this was my biggest motivator to vote "union, yes". Of course, everyone who voted yes had their own reasons for doing so.<br /><br />Pay was definitely one of the reasons out there. I will just have to disagree with my esteemed friend Mr. Wolf on the assertion that no one worked under scale. At the time, we conducted a survey of the artists to increase our knowledge of the situation. While some positions were definitely paid at or above scale, it's just not correct to say everybody was.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-2820821367490904822011-10-03T11:43:10.350-07:002011-10-03T11:43:10.350-07:00While it is true that prior to going union, the he...While it is true that prior to going union, the health care benefits at Film Roman grew worse, less benefits, higher employee contributions. This was due to the spiraling health care costs and the artists were smart to opt for the better union benefits. But it is entirely disingenuous to suggest that work place conditions and pay were contributing factors. Film Roman was always a desirable place to work, and thanks in no small part to The Simpsons, Film Roman paid some of the highest rates in the industry. No one worked under scale.Mike Wolfnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-50537640295277415952011-10-02T23:00:27.080-07:002011-10-02T23:00:27.080-07:00That's more a difference between small studio ...That's more a difference between small studio vs. large studio, rather than union vs. non-union.<br /><br /><br />Small studios can often be more nimble and artistically daring than large behemoths can.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-72648744063592176282011-10-02T21:56:51.675-07:002011-10-02T21:56:51.675-07:00I have to admit, the enjoyment I found in working ...I have to admit, the enjoyment I found in working non- union has been the early process of inonvations in the industry, such as learning on a Cintiq, working in Flash and working with Stereo, at the early stages of these processes. It always felt refreshing, new and rewarding learning a new avenue and having new paths presented, but the union really has nothing to do with the choices the studios have chosen being johnny come late to the innovations in entertainment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-91046409894995568542011-10-02T20:15:15.954-07:002011-10-02T20:15:15.954-07:00One other aspect of union health benefits that non...One other aspect of union health benefits that non-union employers don't have access to -- residuals.<br />About half of the union health benefits are paid for by the residuals generated by the films and TV shows union members work on. That allows union studios to offer better health benefits, at lower costs to themselves, than a non-union studio could ever hope to, since the non-union studios don't get a piece of the residuals pie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-54176724037746444112011-10-02T10:03:12.668-07:002011-10-02T10:03:12.668-07:00And brilliant post. Thanks.And brilliant post. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-76263306708840392732011-10-01T21:54:24.709-07:002011-10-01T21:54:24.709-07:00Welcome home Mr. Hulett!Welcome home Mr. Hulett!Steven Kaplanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13630148057269319887noreply@blogger.com