As a seasoned animator with decades of experience under my belt, I wholeheartedly support this recent decision by The Animation Guild to ratify their contract with the major studios. It is always a significant step forward when unions are able to negotiate favorable terms for their members, and this contract certainly delivers on that front with substantial raises and improved conditions for various crafts.
I’ve just learned that our union, The Animation Guild, has approved a new contract with the big studios. However, there were some voices of concern regarding safeguards against the influence of artificial intelligence in our industry.
The guild announced that 76.1% of the members voted in favor of the deal.
Speaking about the deal, Steve Kaplan, the union’s business rep, stated that this is the progress we’re making towards achieving the most robust agreement for our members,” according to his declaration.
The three-year agreement offers incremental wage increases of 7%, 4%, and 3.5% overall, along with improved benefits for certain professions. For example, it mandates equal pay for color designers, a role typically dominated by women, and ensures a minimum staff size for TV animation writers.
As a movie enthusiast, I must say that the agreement we reached didn’t encompass some of the bolder requests from the negotiators, such as an option for members to decline the use of AI in their roles and also to opt out when their work is used to educate AI systems. Regrettably, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers was unwilling to establish universal minimum staffing levels across the industry.
This caused a degree of dissatisfaction within the group’s ranks, as four members from the 56-strong negotiating team declared their intention to cast a ‘no’ vote.
Mike Rianda, director of “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” expressed on Instagram that the artificial intelligence terms in the contract were “very different” from what they intended, and cautioned that the absence of safeguards could lead to many people losing their jobs.
Kaplan, speaking as the company’s representative, admitted that the agreement they are working on is still under development.
He stated, “We’ve made significant progress, but there are still crucial issues left unresolved. Our members emphasized the importance of dedicating more resources to Generative Artificial Intelligence. To tackle this challenge, we plan to employ a comprehensive strategy: lobby for favorable legislation, advocate for tax breaks for human-created work, and vigilantly monitor for potential misuses.
This agreement incorporates safeguards for AI that mirror those given to other unions. Under the terms of this contract, AI tasks will be accounted for, and AI work won’t be leveraged to compromise union members’ wages or benefits. Additionally, the deal encompasses provisions for notification and consultation, which proponents believe will foster discussions within companies about the practicality of AI in different situations.
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2024-12-23 20:46