Animation Guild Seeks Union Recognition For Production Workers On ‘The Simpsons,’ ‘Family Guy’ & ‘American Dad!’

deadline.com:

Production workers at The Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad! have filed to join the Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839, and begin collective bargaining for their first union contract. “Together, they boast more than 750 years of industry experience in animation,” the guild said. “It’s time they receive the benefits and improved work conditions they deserve.”The move to unionize comes after a May 26 request by a super majority of the workers to be voluntarily recognized.

Workers in the bargaining units include the shows’ production managers, production supervisors, production coordinators, writers’ assistants, production assistants, associate producers, office assistants and IT supervisors.

The shows’ animators are already covered by the guild’s contract.According to the guild, attorneys representing the three production companies responded to its request by stating that the productions’ parent studio, 20th Television Animation, was not yet prepared to voluntarily recognize the entire unit as proposed by guild and asked for additional time to review.Since voluntary recognition has not yet been reached, the guild filed petitions for union elections with the National Labor Relations Board on June 1 for workers at The Simpsons and on June 2 for those employed at American Dad!

The guild says it will file an NLRB petition on Friday on behalf of those employed on Family Guy.Statements provided by the guild show the need for union protection.Jason Jones, a longtime animatic and timing production supervisor at American Dad!: “Those of us who have been working in animation production for many years take pride in knowing that we are an integral part of the longevity and evolution of our shows, right alongside the artists that we