It’s the start of a new year and most of us couldn’t wait for the clock to strike midnight so we could welcome 2021. We asked a few Animation Guild members to share their WFH New Year’s resolutions. Here are some of their answers. “My WFH-related resolution will be 1 minute of squat, 1 minute…

Many crafts within the Animation Guild have come together to connect, identify craft-specific needs and work together towards mutual goals. However, there was one significant group of TAG members who weren’t being represented—CG artists. “The general membership meetings are great to get an overview of important things going on in the guild, but many of…

Chances are, you’ve been working from home for the past nine months. Half-dressed kids or needy pets still occasionally pop up in your Zoom meetings, but overall, TAG members have done a pretty good job of creating a healthy work-life balance. But what if you want to tip that scale completely to one side and…

At the recent D2 Convention held on Saturday, October 24th, The Animation Guild delegates submitted four resolutions to the assembly and all four passed. Here we briefly summarize the resolutions. Resolution to Research Health Insurance Inclusion of Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening, Diagnosis,  Treatment, and Intervention In Our Health Insurance Plans IATSE members and their dependents…

Teri Cusumano shares details of a new proposal the Family and Membership Committee will be presenting to the membership at the General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 29th. For the last nine months, I have been on maternity leave. Although I had to step away from work temporarily in order to adequately care for my…

As of August 3, 2020, wage minimums will increase by 3 percent as per the 2018-2021 Local 839 Master Agreement. Here’s what you need to know: Does this apply to all studios? Some studios, such as Warner Animation Group, The Secret Lab and Sony Animation, have separate agreements with Local 839 and will see wages…

Union Plus Legal Program   Union members are on the front lines of the response to our nation’s public health crisis. MetLife’s Legal Attorney Network is offering union members free legal document review, consultations, and advice through July 31, 2020 for many issues, including:  Healthcare proxies or other estate planning  Home refinancing or personal insurance forms  Elder law…

Hello TAG Members, I hope this message finds you healthy and safe. I hope you are holding up well through this difficult time.  I wanted to reach out to you before the holiday weekend to refresh the conversation about holidays and the adjustment of your production schedule. At times, productions try to squeeze in 40…

Earlier this week, The Animation Guild expressed its unequivocal support of Black communities over social media; however, we felt it crucial to take a deeper dive into this painful topic and the ways in which our union can do better.  We are profoundly saddened and outraged by the senseless killing of George Floyd and condemn the…

In October 2019, several TAG members working at BentoBox shared an issue with Guild leadership—color designers were doing background design work but not being categorized in the correct classification. After entering into a grievance process with the studio, the issue has now been amicably resolved as follows:   As of January 1, 2020, Color Designers…

We have recently learned that Contract Services Administration Trust Fund (CSATF) has been forced to suspend the Skills Training program. Like many other organizations, CSATF has been seriously impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Most of CSATF’s revenue comes from contributions linked to hours worked under union agreements, much like MPI. The significant impact on The…

For those Active Participants currently enrolled in the Motion Picture Industry Health Plan (MPIHP), excluding those on COBRA and those who maintain enrollment through MPIHP as a result of a disability, and whose benefit period ends on June 30, 2020, MPIHP will provide a credit of up to 300 hours toward the Participant’s next eligibility period. In order…