The Austin-based workers’ 96% supermajority vote approves new contract prioritizing wage equality, job security and retirement benefits.
The Animation Guild (TAG), IATSE Local 839 has announced the ratification of a union contract by the animation workers at Powerhouse Animation Studios in Austin, Texas, a result of a 96% supermajority vote.Powerhouse workers are the second organizing unit outside of Los Angeles County (after Titmouse in New York) to ratify a Collective Bargaining Agreement under TAG, marking the union’s first successful unionization of an animation studio in a right-to-work state.
TAG notes that it continues to work steadily to address workers’ rights in animation hubs across the U.S., including successful organizing campaigns in Virginia and Puerto Rico.Priorities for Powerhouse workers included wage equality, job security, and retirement benefits.TAG and the Negotiations Committee worked to tailor a Collective Bargaining Agreement that met the market conditions and business model in Texas.
The Austin-based studio produces such shows as for Netflix.The company also has a smaller studio in Los Angeles, which is a TAG signatory."I am incredibly proud to add Powerhouse Animation Studios to our growing list of signatory studios in the United States,” commented TAG business representative Steve Kaplan.
“This comes after the incredible work our organizing and negotiations committees put in to reach this day.This is one of the strongest agreements we have been able to negotiate, and the crew's resolve to their priority issues is the reason.I also want to acknowledge the work Powerhouse and its leadership team put in.
We all had to be flexible to get to the finish line, and they showed their commitment to being a productive partner with the Union in the negotiations.I look forward to welcoming our newest Texas-based members to Guild membership and working with the studio to build on this strong agreement in the future."
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
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