Animation Guild Reaches Deal with Producers

The Animation Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have reached a tentative agreement on a three‐year successor deal to the master contract for Hollywood animation writers, artists and technicians.

The deal — which covers more than 3,000 active members — was reached Wednesday night following three days of bargaining. If ratified by members, the successor deal will run from Aug. 1 to July 31, 2018.

The guild, which operates as Local 839 of the Intl. Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, said the new deal follows the contours of the 2015 IATSE Hollywood Basic Agreement including a 3% annual increase to wage minimums; unchanged health benefits; 10% increases in pension benefits for individuals retiring after Aug. 1; an updated New Media Side Letter that conforms to new-media deals negotiated by SAG‐AFTRA, DGA, WGA and the IATSE in earlier negotiations.

The deal also includes higher health and pension contributions for freelance storyboard artists and timing directors.

The negotiation committee included Animation Guild president Jack Thomas, business representative Steve Hulett, organizer Steve Kaplan as well as IATSE vice president Michael F. Miller.

“Contract talks are always somewhat contentious, but this year the attitudes on both sides were businesslike and cordial. IATSE vice president Miller was very helpful in aiding the Animation Guild reach a contract,” Hulett said. “There were a lot of proposals on the table, but we were still able to reach agreement in three days. I commend AMPTP president Carol Lombardini and her committee on their focus on the essentials and their willingness to work through differences.”

The Animation Guild and the Writers Guild of America share jurisdiction in animation writing. The WGA covers writing for “The Simpsons” and has higher minimums; the Animation Guild covers far more work.

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