ANNIVERSARY ISSUE 31
F E AT U R E
There was a time when many Guild
members felt that Local 839 was an
independent entity. It ensured certain
work conditions, but really, what did
the Union do?
In fact, Local 839 did a lot for its
members: bargained for guaranteed
wages, job categories, working
conditions, health benefits, pension
plans, and more. But there was a
thought that these were things the
Union—them—did while the members—
us—worked. Sure, there were fun
holiday parties, but the Union was
considered by many to be a service.
When Business Representative Jason
McLeod took the helm in 2016, he
saw the opportunity to build upon the
strong traditional union foundation
his predecessors had constructed and
take The Animation Guild in a new
direction. Moving forward, there would
be a dedicated effort to empower
all members to understand the
importance of their voices in shaping a
vision of what the Union could be.
Since that time, continuing under
the direction of our current Business
Representative Steve Kaplan, The
Animation Guild has expanded
in numerous exciting directions,
engaging members who in turn engage
others, creating a domino effect of
enthusiastic, inclusive teamwork across
all generations and crafts.
F R OM I T S P R A GM AT IC ,
SERVICE-CENTRIC
BEGINNINGS, L O C A L 8 39
H A S E V OLV E D IN T O A
UNION T H AT B O A S T S
UNP R E C E DE N T E D L E V E L S OF
ME MBE R PA R T IC IPAT ION ,
A C T I V I S M , S OL ID A R I T Y,
A ND C OMMUNI T Y.