“Disney Animation Workers Just Made History – And Hollywood Will Never Be the Same!”
In a major victory for workplace rights, production management workers at Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDAS) have officially ratified their first-ever union contract! After two years of tireless organizing, The Animation Guild (TAG) has announced that these dedicated professionals have secured improved wages, benefits, and long-term protections in an industry that often leaves them overlooked.
From Resistance to Revolution: A Union Journey
The road to this landmark agreement wasn’t exactly a fairy tale. It all began in February 2023, when a supermajority of Disney’s production workers voted to unionize—a move initially met with hesitation from studio leadership. What followed was a legal battle before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), culminating in a September 27, 2023, ruling affirming that production coordinators, supervisors, and managers had the right to organize under the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and TAG, Local 839.
A Deal Worth the Wait
Negotiations kicked off on April 11, 2024, and after months of discussions, a tentative agreement was reached on February 13, 2025. With an astounding 96% voter participation and a 93% approval rate, the contract was overwhelmingly ratified. This hard-fought victory ensures production workers now receive many of the same benefits as their artistic counterparts, including:
- Pension and healthcare benefits
- Significant wage increases:
- Production Managers: +24%
- Production Supervisors: +29%
- Production Coordinators: +35% (previously the lowest-paid workers in the unit)
Power to the People: How They Made It Happen
“This wasn’t just about getting a raise—it was about demanding the respect and equity we deserve,” said Production Coordinator Tamara Lee. The fight wasn’t easy. Workers staged silent protests, organized petitions, and even marched to executive offices to deliver their demands firsthand. Their resilience has set a powerful precedent not just for Disney, but for the entire animation industry.
A New Era for Animation Workers
This contract makes history as the first time a feature film production management unit has successfully unionized with TAG. And the momentum isn’t stopping there—DreamWorks Animation is currently in negotiations for their first-ever contract, covering both feature film and television production workers. If Disney’s agreement is any indication, the tides are turning for animation industry professionals everywhere.
“In Hollywood, we love an underdog story,” said Production Supervisor Nicholas Ellingsworth. “Our ratification proves that when we unite and push for change, we win. We’re rooting for our colleagues at DreamWorks to achieve the same.”
The Animation Guild: A Legacy of Advocacy
Founded in 1952, The Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) represents over 5,000 artists, technicians, and writers across the animation industry. Their mission? To ensure fair wages, better working conditions, and a stronger voice for workers who bring animated magic to life.
With this latest victory, one thing is clear: the future of animation isn’t just about storytelling—it’s about the people behind the scenes finally getting the recognition they deserve.
What’s Next?
With Disney’s production management team securing this groundbreaking deal, all eyes are now on DreamWorks and other animation studios. Will this spark an industry-wide movement? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—animation workers everywhere are more empowered than ever before.
Stay tuned as we watch history unfold!
