BURBANK, Calif.—In what is being seen by many as a much-needed strengthening of labor power in the animation industry, DreamWorks Animation (DWA) remote workers, Feature Production workers at Netflix Animation Studios, and production workers on the show Ted have officially voted to unionize with The Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) and The Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700). The unionization effort, the unions say, was to “ensure fair pay and treatment for all animation workers.”
In three separate National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) votes, a majority of each group gave a resounding “yes” to collective bargaining power and union representation.
The NLRB ballot count for DWA remote workers was held on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, resulting in a majority “yes” vote in favor of union representation with The Animation Guild (TAG). DreamWorks Animation indicated it will formally recognize the remote bargaining unit under TAG and begin contract negotiations. This vote will see TAG, which represents more than 5,000 artists, technicians, writers, and production workers in the animation industry, grow by over 100 members.
The newly recognized unit represents remote workers nationwide who contribute to Los Angeles–based DreamWorks Animation projects in both film and television. These workers perform work already covered under TAG’s Master Agreement when done onsite on campus in Los Angeles County. This includes roles such as Story Artists, Animators, Character Effects Artists, Technical Directors, Lighters, Visual Development Artists, Modelers, and Production Coordinators.
Union representatives explained that remote workers organized to address what they saw as longstanding inequities between remote and on-campus employees. “Union recognition establishes a path forward for collective bargaining aimed at securing equal treatment and sustainable working conditions for remote employees,” TAG asserted in a statement.
Anthony Holden, a Washington State-based remote Story Artist and a member of the Organizing Committee, said that he “valued the opportunity to help unite our voices in seeking equality with our on-campus counterparts in terms of workers’ rights, fair pay, access to healthcare and retirement benefits, among other issues.”
Holden also said he looked “forward to negotiating with the company to secure a fair agreement that will foster a workplace environment which is equitable to remote employees and will contribute to DreamWorks’ commercial and artistic success.”
In a similar fashion, Feature Production Workers at Netflix Animation Studios (NAS) and Production Workers on the show Ted are also celebrating their NLRB votes to unionize with TAG and The Editors Guild. Their elections took place on Dec. 30 and Dec. 23, respectively.
“During my five years at NAS, my amazing production colleagues have shown up each day with diligence, passion, and a breadth of skills and experience, both creative and strategic,” said Production Coordinator Erin Sullivan. “As a part of TAG, I’m excited for the opportunity we now have to represent ourselves as a unit, and I’m encouraged by the other production management teams in our industry who have set the bar.”
Animation and the entertainment industry as a whole have undergone several upheavals in recent years, including the global COVID-19 pandemic, two significant labor strikes, a decrease in production both globally and in Los Angeles, and what many consider the looming threat of AI to creatives’ jobs.
Just last year, TAG was part of a coalition of international animation unions, federations, and organizations that called for action on the use of artificial intelligence, labeling it an “immediate threat” that will see “the loss of employment and livelihood for the millions of people worldwide that work at keeping the world connected through their art.” That same statement acknowledged that the animation industry has been “suffering greatly” in the last few years.
These unionization votes at the end of 2025 are being followed by Hollywood’s preparation for a new round of potentially expansive labor deals in the opening months of this year. As for The Animation Guild, they see the recent victory as a step in the right direction for 2026 for those who work in the field.
“These units overwhelmingly voted in favor of TAG representation after facing the degrading process of being forced into an NLRB election and the unnecessary delay of the government shutdown,” TAG representative Steve Kaplan said.
“We are continuing to expand our jurisdiction both inside and outside the scope of our Master Agreement as we continue to look forward to protecting the rights of all animation workers regardless of zip code.”
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