The successful election marks yet another victory for The Animation Guild in regard to organizing production workers. Titmouse, Inc. (“Superjail!,” “The Venture Bros.” and “Big Mouth”) were voluntarily recognized following a card count last month, but when the contracts for the company as well as “Rick & Morty” and “Solar Opposites” are negotiated, they will be making history. When all is said and done, “it will be the first time in recent history” that the Guild will cover such workers, one Guild representative told The Hollywood Reporter. This is a huge win for the Guild, but it certainly isn’t going to stop here.
Last month the Animation Guild held a rally to encourage organization and a vote to unionize for animation workers across the industry, with hundreds showing up to show their support. The Guild is currently still in negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) regarding a new master agreement for animation, known through social media channels as #NewDeal4Animation.
Animation workers are currently woefully underpaid and overworked, and considering animation was keeping the industry alive during the pandemic when live-action projects came to a screeching halt, the AMPTP would be wise to give the Guild whatever they want. They deserve it, and they have deserved it for a very, very long time.
