The Animation Guild is organizing production workers at DreamWorks Animation and at Flying Bark Productions.
The guild (IATSE Local 839) sent a letter to DreamWorks Animation on Feb. 7 and filed for recognition with the National Labor Relations Board on Feb. 9 to represent 162 production workers at the studio.
“It is an honor to work someplace with such a legacy, but legacy doesn’t pay the bills or protect us when the industry shifts,” said Rachel Carlson, assistant to the director/producer at DreamWorks Feature. “The people of the entertainment industry have relied on unions to fight for their best interests. Although we are not paid to be artists at DWA, we deserve the opportunity to be represented. Working under a corporation that has been valued at approximately $167 Billion means that the people are not always the priority. Under TAG, we will have a direct link to those who are otherwise out of our reach and have our voice be heard.”
At Flying Bark Productions, workers have organized under TAG and the union has sent a letter demanding voluntary recognition to the company. While the company is headquartered in Australia, TAG is seeking to represent a group of eight production workers working on the untitled Stranger Things animated project at its satellite office in Los Angeles. Artists currently working on the show are already covered by the union.
“As production staff, we were motivated to form a union with The Animation Guild because we deserve the same protections and benefits as our artist kin. We love working in animation and want it to be a career with security and longevity for us all!” said script coordinator Elise Bradley.
TAG said it is “optimistic” that both Flying Bark Productions and DreamWorks Animation will voluntarily recognize the union. The Animation Guild has organized close to 1,200 production workers since 2021, including working with members at Walt Disney Animation Studio, Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network.
“The production DreamWorkers and Barkers are the latest courageous groups to demand a seat at the table where decisions are made that affect their lives,” says TAG Organizer Allison Smartt. “They join production workers at almost every major animation studio in Los Angeles in their effort to preserve what made them seek out their dream jobs in the first place and to ensure transparency and dignity for all production animation workers in the U.S.”