The Animation Guild, Native 839 (TAG) has introduced that the animation employees at Powerhouse Animation Studios in Austin, TX, with a supermajority of employee assist, despatched a letter to firm leaders for voluntary recognition to affix The Animation Guild, Native 839 (TAG). As well as, they filed a petition with the Nationwide Labor Relations Board to carry an election to unionize if essential.
The hassle marks TAG’s first organizing marketing campaign in a right-to-work state and is the Guild’s third organizing effort exterior L.A. County—after profitable unionization of Titmouse and Late Night time Cartoons in New York. Priorities for Powerhouse employees embody wage equality and job safety protections.
“Although it will not be the factor most individuals know the state for, Texas has a protracted historical past of working-class actions,” stated TAG Government Board Member Brandon Jarratt. “The powerful and proficient employees at Powerhouse are including to that legacy and breaking new floor at present. As a Texan serving on TAG’s Government Board, I could not be prouder.”.
“As a ninth-generation Texan, I perceive the tradition of fierce individualism,” added TAG President Jeanette Moreno King. “Of feeling that something that comes your approach, you possibly can and may be capable of deal with by yourself. It’s the antithesis of what it means to be a Union member. However generally, the one method to push to your rights is to affix along with the folks subsequent to you. … I’m so proud that the employees at Powerhouse have locked arms to ask for illustration and be a part of TAG within the push for respect and dignity within the work we do.”
Powerhouse in Austin produces Castlevania and Masters of the Universe: Revelation for Netflix. The corporate additionally has a smaller studio in Los Angeles, which signed a collective bargaining settlement with TAG. The Austin bargaining unit consists of 137 employees.
On behalf of the organizing employees, Powerhouse animation character artist Suzanne Sharp stated, “Each considered one of our co-workers is integral to the success of Powerhouse, and all of us put a lot ardour and effort into making it occur day by day. We now have confirmed ourselves to be nice property to our purchasers. We need to empower management to barter on extra equal floor with our purchasers and safe contracts which are fairer and that meet our wants as an animation studio that constantly creates high-quality artwork. I’m so proud to be right here and so happy with us all for confirming such an awesome supermajority of assist to kind our Union with TAG.”
“I’ve had the chance to work on so many different tasks right here with some actually great folks, and I’m excited to see the studio come collectively to develop in an open and conscious approach that helps the staff and their wants inside and outdoors the office,” added Powerhouse Animation manufacturing supervisor Ryan Arrington. “Collectively, we will push for higher contracts that assist a wholesome work/life stability, profession coaching and development, honest pay and wages, and higher job safety for our staff.”
Supply: The Animation Guild
Debbie Diamond Sarto is information editor at Animation World Community.
