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…

When you receive a job offer from a studio that is a Union signatory, you can always negotiate for a better salary beyond the minimum union wage for that position. Consider a base offer as your starting point. An employer will not be surprised if you make a counter-offer. Below are some tips to help…

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…

As Crystal Kan and Jake Hollander embarked on their second annual free Portfolio Review Day on May 31, 2020, they faced one daunting challenge—a worldwide pandemic. Kan wasn’t sure how to easily manage more than 80 candidates sharing their portfolios with 30 volunteers while giving each attendee individualized attention. The solution came unexpectedly during a…

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…

More than 1,000 entertainment union members logged in to a Zoom meeting hosted by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor to learn more about the various programs available to them through the Employment Development Department and the federal CARES Act legislation. The special webinar was co-hosted by Hollywood labor unions, including the I.A.T.S.E., DGA…

We are fortunate that so far the animation industry has not been affected by the pandemic and most members are still working. Still, everyone’s situation is different and many families may be facing financial challenges. In an effort to provide financial support for participants of our 401k plan who may need it, the Trustees unanimously…

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…

Many Animation Guild members are finding it difficult to balance work and family life during the pandemic. Here are a few resources to help navigate these challenges: 1) Coronavirus Course For Expecting, New & All Working Parents COVID-19 is causing rapidly changing the lives of expecting and working parents. This mini course addresses concerns for…

In its latest response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, Congress has passed a third package of emergency relief legislation, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security “CARES” Act. This bill will provide tangible and immediate economic relief for entertainment workers across the United States, many of whom found themselves out of work overnight due…