The Animation Guild and the Titmouse NY Organizing Committee announce the ratification of TAG’s first collective bargaining agreement with Titmouse’s New York studio. This significant milestone comes after Titmouse voluntarily recognized unionization efforts in New York on January 7, 2022. The shop is the first animation studio outside of Los Angeles County to unionize in decades.
“We are proud of the Titmouse artists in N.Y. and support them as we move into the future together!” said Titmouse Founder & President Chris Prynoski.
The Animation Guild Business Representative Steve Kaplan notes, “Animation workers across the country deserve the ability to have a voice in the creation of their working conditions. The crew at Titmouse N.Y. is the first of what I expect to be many animation studios that will find their crews interested in sharing those decisions. The Animation Guild has set the standard for workplace conditions from our origins in Los Angeles. Now, we invite animation workers across the United States to reach out and work with us to create a national standard for animation work.”
With the unanimous vote in favor of ratifying the contract, Titmouse N.Y.’s union workers have achieved a historic victory, and the unanimous decision showcases the collective unity of the members to creating fair and favorable working conditions.
“I am incredibly proud of our union for voting in favor of ratifying our contract,” says Dan Pinto, a member of the organizing committee. “The fact that the vote was unanimous makes this historic achievement all the more significant. This is a huge win for our studio, for the New York animation scene, and for animation and production workers across the country. This is only the beginning.”
The ratified collective bargaining agreement also reflects Titmouse N.Y.’s commitment to creating a collaborative and supportive work environment for its employees. The contract encompasses essential provisions that address wages, benefits, and working conditions, ensuring fair treatment and the opportunity for workers to have a voice in shaping their professional lives. By ratifying this agreement, both employer and union workers have set an example of the positive change possible when studios recognize the importance and empowering effects of collective bargaining.
The Animation Guild, also known as Local 839 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), was founded in 1952. The labor union represents more than 6,000 artists, technicians and writers in the animation industry, advocating for workers to improve wages and conditions.
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