‘Equal Pay for Equal Paint!’
Lawrence Smoot | Published on 9/20/2024
The Animation Guild (TAG), Local 839 of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), resumed negotiations with Hollywood studios this week and are fighting for pay equity for color designers, a job historically staffed by women. TAG represents thousands of animation artists, writers and technicians. In addition to winning language that will protect members from the creeping influence of artificial intelligence, the union is hoping to secure a new three-year contract that also ensures fair pay across genders. The job of color designers stems from the traditionally women-dominated department called ink and paint, which was created during the animation boom of the 1930s. Because it was labeled as women’s work and entry-level, studios used this to justify paying the workers less—a devaluation that still persists today.
AFL-CIO Daily Brief