Steve Hulett / September 8, 2015
Union NewsWhy Union / no comments
Los Angeles doesn’t have a monopoly on animation work, not by a long shot. But L.A. does have a goodly amount of television and theatrical cartoon production going on at the present time. We list a large part of it below. (Please understand that shows and features are constantly in development and/or production, so the…
Steve Kaplan / August 27, 2015
Union News / 2 comment
The members of The Animation Guild, Local 839 IATSE, have ratified the new 2015-2018 contract, which the Guild negotiated with animation studios represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) from June 29 to July 1st of this year. The Guild, though one of the West Coast production locals in the IATSE,…
Steve Hulett / August 26, 2015
Union News / no comments
The IA locals that comprise the bargaining unit for the Basic Agreement, have spoken. Members of 13 Hollywood locals of the IATSE have ratified a new film and TV contract. The deal with management’s AMPTP, which was reached in April, provides for 3% pay raises in each year of the three-year contract, as well as…
Steve Hulett / July 31, 2015
401k planUnion News / no comments
Since I’m diving into new 401(k) enrollment meetings, here are seven human frailties that impede our ability to make good decisions generally … and especially about money. 1. Connecting Correlation with Causation. 2. Confusing Luck and Skill. 3. We *love* shiny objects. We *love* shiny objects … often to our detriment. 4. We’re lousy at…
Steve Hulett / July 27, 2015
Union News / no comments
The Animation Guild completed negotiations for the new 2015-2018 contract on July 1st. Below are highlights of the new agreement (which boils down the more lengthy Memorandum of Agreement). … Q: There’s a lot of legal mumbo-jumbo in the included “Memorandum of Agreement.” Can you give me the highlights? A: Here you go. WAGES: Minimum…
Steve Kaplan / July 16, 2015
Union News / no comments
The annual Wage Survey has been opened and we are requesting all members participate. This is one of the most important things your Union does. The Wage Survey gives the Union a snapshot of the state of the industry. But more importantly it helps you, the member, when you are seeking employment. The more you…
Steve Kaplan / July 13, 2015
Union News / no comments
The Animation Guild reached agreement with the AMPTP at 11:00 p.m. on a new, three-year agreement that will run from August 1st, 2015 to July 31st, 2018. The deal follows the contours of the 2015 IATSE Basic Agreement, which includes: * 3% increases to contract wage minimums (compounded). * Unchanged Health Benefits (no increases to…
Steve Hulett / May 16, 2015
TAG NewsUnion News / no comments
* Featured Post Artwork from Carol Simpson At the end of June, the Animation Guild will sit down with the major animation studios and negotiate a new three-year contract. The guild’s negotiation committee will meet in early June to go over proposals, but it’s important to know what the IA (our mother international) negotiated for…
Steve Hulett / April 30, 2015
401k plan / no comments
The Animation Guild 401(k) Plan is celebrating its 20th birthday, and has reached robust adulthood. The stats: * Total Plan assets: $235,742,099 * Average balance: $93,585 * Total contributions in 2014: $7,715,289 * Total number of Plan participants: 2,519 * 88% of assets reside in Target Date Funds. The TAG 401(k) Plan offers participants over…
Steve Kaplan / April 12, 2015
Union NewsWhy Union / no comments
On July 10, 11 and 12, the Animation Guild will participate in the IATSE District 2 Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. If you wish to be considered for one of the limited number of Local 839 delegate positions you must be an active member in good standing and you must email us by April 17th, 2015….
Steve Hulett / April 1, 2015
Business Savvy / no comments
At last night’s General Membership meeting, there was lengthy discussion about ways to find jobs in the animation business. Some bullet points: * Have a portfolio on-line in various formats: quick time, single frame, etc. Show a variety of styles, and most recent work up top. * The Animation Guild offers “Member Profile” pages (which…
Steve Hulett / March 23, 2015
401k plan / no comments
401(k) enrollment time again, so here’s your new motivator: According to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, the average retirement savings for households nearing retirement — those with head of households aged 55-64—is about $110,000. That means more than half of today’s households won’t have enough retirement income to maintain their pre-retirement standard…