CG animators at Nickelodeon get first union contract
Po is getting a union card.
Computer graphics artists who work on such Nickelodeon shows as “Monsters vs. Aliens” and “Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness” have ratified their first union contract.
About 90% of the 70 computer graphic employees at Nickelodeon Animation Studios approved a contract negotiated this week by the Animation Guild, Local 839 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
The guild has had a contract with Nickelodeon covering traditional animation artists since 2004 but has been trying for several years to extend its agreement to the studio’s CG artists as well.
Final negotiations over a three-year contract wrapped Wednesday, with ratification by unit employees taking place at Nickelodeon’s Burbank facility on Friday afternoon.
“Five years ago, the Animation Guild went to work organizing Nick’s CG department. We had a number of setbacks, but last year, thanks to Guild organizer Steve Kaplan, communication with employees accelerated and support for the Guild increased dramatically,’’ Steve Hulett, the Animation Guild’s business representative, said in a news release.
“Nick negotiators Bill Cole and Kevin Ellman were tough but flexible, and had a lot to do with the parties reaching agreement,” he added.
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