Writers at Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures, who make possible multiple beloved public
access children's animation programs, have won voluntary recognition for their union with the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE).
These newly minted members work on shows like “Alma’s Way,” “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” and “Carl the Collector.” They will now work under the contract provisions reached between WGAE and PBS in 2024, which included coverage of PBS Kids’ animation for the first time, but didn’t cover writers at outside production companies. This exciting development will now ensure that Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures workers’ contributions to PBS Kids are compensated with union-quality benefits and wages.
In a press release, WGAE President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen said, “PBS KIDS writers have been a bedrock in educating children around the world, and we are glad they can work under a Writers Guild contract that provides them with fair pay, pension and health coverage and residuals. All animation writers deserve union protections just like their colleagues in live action television.”