On July 30, 2023, wage minimums increased by 3 percent as per the 2021-2024 Local 839 Master Agreement. Here’s what you need to know: Does this apply to all studios? Some studios, such as Warner Animation Group, Sony Animation, and others have separate agreements with Local 839 and will see wage minimums rise on a…

Once again TAG volunteers stepped up to make our 5th Annual Portfolio Review Day a huge success. Originally an in-person event, it has been virtual since the start of the pandemic, but that didn’t slow things down. With 559 submissions, more than 90 TAG volunteers gave a total of 370 reviews. “The Portfolio Review is…

The 79th District 2 Convention, held June 9th–11th in Hawai’i, saw a record turnout with 235 registered delegates in attendance. The Animation Guild delegates submitted resolutions to the assembly. Below are brief summaries of the four TAG-submitted resolutions that were passed. Resolution to encourage that access, time, and accommodations be provided for expressing breast milk…

With the announcement of a SAG-AFTRA strike, The Animation Guild stands in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA members. We recognize their invaluable contributions to the entertainment industry, and as fellow Union members, we support their collective fight to win a fair contract. Many of you may be wondering how the strike affects you and your work. Here’s what we…

MPI Open Enrollment Period to be held July 1 – 21 Each year, the Motion Picture Industry Health Plan (MPIHP) holds an open enrollment period during which a participant can enroll in coverage and/or change his or her medical and/or dental plan election. If you are a COBRA participant, you may add or remove dependents…

On May 30, dozens of TAG members returned to Hulett Hall at The Animation Guild building for the first in-person General Membership (GMM) since the start of the pandemic. As with most events these days, it looked a little different. As of now, GMMs are hybrid—members can come in person or attend on Zoom. But…

On June 27, TAG member activists coordinated another show of support for WGA writers in front of Disney.  “The picket line meet-ups started with a simple idea I had after joining the strike lines early on,” says TAG member Janis Robertson. “I got some info at a Town Hall, bounced my idea off Joey Clift,…

  On June 14, 2023, TAG Member Programs Coordinator Jackie Huang led a Q&A with TAG Business Representative Steve Kaplan about freelancing at Union studios. Topics included the definition of a freelancer, how freelance hours affect health benefits, how to keep track of freelance hours, and more. What is a freelancer in the animation industry,…

On May 10, Union Plus Brand Representative Brea Ellis discussed the many Union Plus benefits available to Union members. She was joined by John Hemmesch of Wells Fargo, who spoke about the bank’s Union Plus home mortgage program. Established in the 1980s, Union Plus provides benefits for union members off the job. This includes extending…

As production crews join our TAG family, they also join us in growing our advocacy for TAG members in the workplace. We’re excited to introduce two new TAG production members who have taken on the role of Shop Steward at their respective studios. Our Shop Stewards are our on-the-ground “eyes and ears,” as well as…

  TAG Field Rep Leslie Simmons shares her view of this year’s May Day March: Animation Guild members joined with other IATSE Locals in the annual May Day March in downtown Los Angeles on May 1. Thousands of participants from unions, community groups, workers’ rights organizations, and more came together under the theme of the…

With the announcement of a Writers Guild of America strike, The Animation Guild stands in solidarity with WGA members. We recognize their invaluable contributions to the entertainment industry, and as fellow Union members, we support their demands in their collective fight to win a fair contract from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)….