The Animation Guild (TAG), IATSE Local 839, made headlines by clinching a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The deal came after over three months of intense back-and-forth negotiations.
Kicking off on August 12, TAG went into battle over critical issues like better wages, understaffed crews, and setting ground rules for how Generative AI can be used in the industry.
With no agreement in the first five days, the talks paused and resumed on September 16, grinding through 16 non-consecutive days before reaching a breakthrough in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Here’s the TL;DR on the key wins for animation pros:
Health & Pension Wins: Increased funding with no extra costs or cuts to healthcare.
Wage Boosts: 7% in Year 1, 4% in Year 2, and 3.5% in Year 3.
AI Safeguards: Clear notification and consultation policies to protect workers.
Remote Work Protections: Safeguards for flexibility in how artists work.
Extra Perks: Bereavement leave, more sick days, and Juneteenth officially recognized as a holiday.
Craft-Specific Wins: Minimum staffing for writers and major upgrades for storyboard artists.
For TAG members, this new deal sets the tone for the next three years and shows that their voices are being heard. Up next? Members will vote to ratify the agreement. Stay tuned!
https://www.tagnegotiations2024.com/post/the-animation-guild-reaches-tentative-agreement-with-amptp
