The Animation Guild is not the only union that negotiates a CBA during the entertainment industry-wide negotiation cycle. Our parent union, the IATSE, and all the local unions within the IATSE, also negotiate their own CBAs. We benefit from the fact that the entertainment industry is largely unionized.

The Animation Guild typically bargains a successor agreement toward the end of the industry negotiation cycle. Because other IATSE unions begin their negotiations before us, we can benefit from “pattern bargaining.” Pattern bargaining refers to gains made by another union that can also benefit the Guild. When employers agree to a change that could benefit members of more than one union, other IATSE unions are often able to incorporate this change into their respective CBAs as well. This allows us to dedicate our resources to pursuing other proposals that deal with issues specific to Guild membership.

Additionally, the IATSE Basic Agreement informs The Animation Guild’s healthcare and pension benefits. What does this mean? The IATSE negotiates the benefits provided through the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans on behalf of TAG and the 13 Hollywood Locals. Article 18 in TAG’s Master Agreement formally adopts the terms established in the IATSE Basic Agreement.

On behalf of The Animation Guild:

• Business Representative Steve Kaplan, acting by constitutional mandate as The Guild’s spokesperson.

• IATSE Vice President Mike Miller, on behalf of IATSE.

• The Guild’s Attorney.

• Members of the Negotiations Committee. Because of the size of this committee, it might not always be possible or practical to bring the entire committee into the negotiations room. If that is the case, a group of members from the Negotiations Committee will be selected in order to represent the concerns of the membership and to present on specific proposals.

On behalf of the employers:

• AMPTP President Carol Lombardini, acting as spokesperson on behalf of the employers.

• The AMPTP, acting as the bargaining unit for most major motion picture studios.

• Representatives sent on behalf of individual studios. Typically the employers are represented by corporate attorneys, and not studio personnel (such as Line Producers).

Shortly before negotiations, the Guild sends our proposals to the employers. It is prudent that the employers do not have access to details of these proposals until they have undergone a rigorous process of revision and fine tuning.

Once the proposals are finalized, however, there are advantages to sharing them before t the Negotiations Committee sits at the bargaining table. This process allows employers to consider what we will be asking ahead of time and gather needed information on the issues, which makes the negotiation process more efficient.

Employers reciprocate the gesture in good faith by sharing their proposals. This means the Guild can also prepare and enter the negotiations room informed and able to address the details of the employers’ proposals.

During the term between negotiations, Guild craft committees and subcommittees meet and gather data to prepare for the next negotiations cycle. The bulk of the preparation work is done within these groups. In many cases, these committees and subcommittees have been meeting for more than a year to two years to gather data and prepare for negotiations.Once the Negotiations Committee is formed, proposals crafted by these groups are submitted.

Additionally, a Negotiations Survey establishing priorities is shared with the membership to inform the Negotiations Committee. The survey is a critical way for every TAG member to have a voice in negotiations and guide bargaining strategy.

Negotiations Committee members use information that has been gathered during preparation, along with the Negotiations Survey, Town Hall meetings with membership, and other sources, as they review the various proposals. They can weigh in on each proposal, either to voice support or to suggest changes to strengthen proposals. Together, they shape and finalize the proposals that will be presented during negotiations with the employers. The goal of the committee is to build the best proposals possible to serve Guild membership.

All Active Animation Guild members in Good Standing can vote for ratification.