A new union contract was officially approved for Walt Disney Animation Studios production management workers.
Union Contract Approved for Walt Disney Animation Studios Production Workers
According to Variety, in February 2023 a large majority of production workers voted to unionize. The agreement was approved by the unit with 96% voter participation and approved with 93% support.
Production coordinator Tamara Lee stated, “It’s been an uphill journey, but at long last, we’ve reached the mountaintop. We are standing in our breakthrough — stronger, bolder, and united.”
The new agreement declared the eligibility of full-time production coordinators, production supervisors, and production managers to unionize with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839.
Allison Smarrt, the union organizer, said,
During this downturn in entertainment production, production management workers at one of the most powerful corporations in the world stood up and demanded more. Their daily fight for fair treatment and pay is often outside the public eye. They’ve been signing petitions, marching to deliver signatures, staging courageous silent protests in front of executives, and regularly engaging in the fight for their fair share for years, setting an inspiring example. They’ve won a historic contract that will have positive impacts long into the future and throughout the animation industry and I know they aren’t done yet.
As per the new contract, production workers will receive protections including pension and health benefits. They have also secured wage increases including a 24% increase for production managers, a 29% increase for production supervisors, and a 35% increase for production coordinators — who are the lowest-paid workers within the unit.
Nicholas Ellingsworth, production supervisor, also commented saying,
In Hollywood, we love an underdog story. Our ratification was just that — the underrepresented and underpaid coming together and demanding better pay and equity with our artistic counterparts. IN the end, we were heard and seen, and we have a pathway to further improving the conditions in which production management works.
DreamWorks Animation is also currently in negotiations for its first union contract. In 2023, both Walt Disney Pictures and Marvel Studios in-house visual effects (VFX) workers voted to unionize with IATSE.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.