Production management workers at Walt Disney Animation Studios have officially ratified their first union contract with the studio.
This agreement comes after an intense organizing effort that saw a supermajority of production workers vote to unionize in February 2023. The agreement was overwhelmingly ratified by the unit with 96% voter participation and ratified with 93% support.
The ruling affirmed 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.
“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,” said production coordinator Tamara Lee.
Under the contract, production workers will now receive protections including pension and health benefits. Additionally, substantial wage increases to the minimums have been secured: a 24% increase for production managers, a 29% increase for production supervisors, and a 35% increase for production coordinators — the lowest-paid workers in the unit.
Union organizer Allison Smartt 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.” Smartt added, “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.”
Negotiations are currently underway with DreamWorks Animation for their first contract, marking the second time feature film production management workers have organized with TAG — this time including their television counterparts.
Production supervisor Nicholas Ellingsworth said, “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.” Ellingsworth went on to say, “We know our colleagues at DreamWorks Animation are in the middle of their negotiations, and we’re wishing them all the luck, patience, and perseverance in their conversations. Production management is no stranger to strategizing to achieve their goals and navigating unexpected obstacles. There is no doubt they’ll come out on top.”
