Warner Bros Discovery welcomes WB Animation & Cartoon Network’s Production Employees’ Union

David Zaslav has been preaching the gospel of labor peace in Tinseltown since the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike, and now the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery his talk when it comes to his own backyard.

Nearly five months after dozens of Warner Bros. production employees. Animation and Cartoon Network have begun their efforts to join the Animation Guild, with WBD acknowledging the move this week.

“After months of discussions with the studio, I am proud to announce that we have reached an agreement with Warner/Discovery to bring the animation production staff at Warner Bros. “Animation and Cartoon Network Studios,” Steve Kaplan, business representative for TAG IATSE Local 839, told Deadline today.

“The Walt Disney Animation Studios NLRB’s recent decision regarding the appropriate placement of production managers and production managers in a bargaining unit certainly helped the company better understand our desire to include these categories, and our long-standing productive relationship has contributed to our is completed. a signed agreement. “, the union leader added. “The Animation Guild looks forward to continuing this relationship as we begin to negotiate the terms of an agreement for the two companies’ hard-working animation production staff.”

WBD representatives did not respond to Deadline’s request for comment on the union’s recognition. If so, we will update it.

The Toons Local move brings new contract negotiations for IATSE, as the crew union’s current contract expires on July 31, 2024. Talks where stakes and strike potential have risen following the success of industrial action by the WGA and SAG – AFTRA over the past six months.

Warner Bros. originally had 66 employees. Animation and 22 employees at Cartoon Network, but the now recognized entity has 50 employees. Since then, six workers have been promoted and therefore excluded, while ten others have been dismissed and are therefore no longer part of the unit.

In addition, the now unionized animation production employees hold the following positions: production manager, digital production assistant, production assistant, production coordinator, IT technician, design production coordinator, assistant production manager, senior assistant production manager and creative production assistant.

“Although many may not believe it, manufacturing is a specialized skill; “We may not be artists or writers, but what we bring goes beyond traditional creativity and brings content to the air,” said WBA Production Manager Hannah Ferenc. “As I have learned the current state of the animation industry over the past seven years, I want to ensure that not only our current employees, but anyone who chooses to work with us in the future, can feel confident that their passion and pursuing money to earn.” . “They are paid a living wage and treated with the dignity and respect they deserve,” Ferenc said of unionization efforts in her part of the industry.

Founded in 1952, TAG has just over 6,000 members – and growing.