JOINT STATEMENT: Hollywood Unions, Guilds Stand With Animation Ahead of The Animation Guild’s Negotiations with Studios

The American Federation of Musicians (AFM), Directors Guild of America (DGA), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 40 (IBEW), International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 399 (IBT), Laborers International Union of North America Local 724 (LiUNA!), Operating Plasterers & Cement Masons International Association (OPCMIA) Local 755, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), United Association Plumbers Local 78 (UA), Writers Guild of America East (WGAE), and Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) issued the following joint statement of solidarity with The Animation Guild (TAG) ahead of the start of their Master Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) next week.

"We stand with the members of TAG as they seek contractual provisions that set fair wages and working conditions, prevent overwork, and safeguard workers from the impact of artificial intelligence. TAG negotiates independently of IATSE's West Coast Studio Locals to address the unique priorities of animation workers, and they do so with our full collective backing.

We also call on the AMPTP to negotiate in good faith, show you value and respect your animation workers, and make meaningful moves to address their specific priorities."

The Animation Guild's negotiations with the AMPTP are slated to begin Monday, August 12, with their contract extension set to expire Friday, August 16.

All industry union members are encouraged to support TAG's negotiations by attending the "Stand With Animation Contract Negotiations Kickoff Rally" on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 5-6:30 pm at IATSE Local 80 at 2520 West Olive Avenue #Suite 200 Burbank, CA 91505. RSVP at AnimationGuild.org/Rally2024.