Animation Guild

Fall 2020

Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine

Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1276583

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L E T T E R WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A LABOR UNION? TRADITIONALLY, A LABOR UNION'S MEMBERS WORK TOGETHER TO NEGOTIATE AND ENFORCE A CONTRACT WITH MANAGEMENT THAT GUARANTEES THE THINGS YOU CARE ABOUT LIKE FAIR RAISES, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE, JOB SECURITY, AND A STABLE SCHEDULE. It's a mission that any worker from any field would have an interest in yet union membership has declined over the decades. Anti-labor political forces have succeeded in weakening our ability to act as a counterbalance to corporate demands on workers. Unions are losing their connection to the public at large. The strength of unions is entirely dependent on the strength of its members and I believe that unions need to reframe what that means now that racial equality is the conversation on everyone's lips. This move is long overdue. We at The Animation Guild are reflecting on our responsibility to our members, especially our most vulnerable. The fact that there are no black members in leadership roles is evidence enough that we need to make space to encourage more involvement from people of color. Our members need to feel welcome and supported when they need us most. This is a systematic change I'm proposing and it's going to take some time to take root. We need to be able to track abuses and are moving to put a system in place to report issues. We need to improve outreach to minority students—from new college graduates to elementary school aged kids—and share that a life in animation is a viable career option. Zoom meetings with schools are in the early stages of planning. We need to amplify the voices of our black leaders in the workplace, who want to take on the big job of motivating and organizing other black members, to have a unified voice to address their specific needs. Join us in leadership! We need you. Let's move this ship forward together. In Solidarity, Jeanette Moreno King | President The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839 MAKING SPACE ON THE COVER Animation Guild member Spencer Wan illustrates an anime-inspired cover inspired by our feature article.

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