We are writing this letter to encourage Disney leadership to do the right thing and recognize the demand of Production Coordinators, Production Managers, and Production Supervisors to join IATSE Local 839, The Animation Guild (TAG). This is the same union that represents the artists and TDs we work alongside each and every day. The Walt Disney Company is a massive company with a legacy that spans 100 years. It is time for Disney to recognize the contributions that production workers make to ensure the creative, financial, and cultural success of Disney’s animated features and special projects. It’s time we have the protections of a union like our MPEG editors and artists and TD colleagues in the Animation Guild.

Production is a craft in its own right, and by forming our union we are saying we deserve to have viable and sustainable careers paths, living wages, and the ability to retire with dignity. Currently, our compensation does not provide a living wage nor does it match the value of the work being performed to deliver these million and billion dollar films on schedule, on budget, and at the exceptional standard our great studio is known for. We want equity in our representation and to have access to the same fringe benefits as our artist colleagues.

Production Coordinators, Production Managers, and Production Supervisors advocate for our respective department of artists constantly, and it is past time that we advocate for ourselves to join TAG.

The historic, vast disparity between artists and production workers does not reflect our partnership with our artist peers and the important contributions the studio tells us we make. Including Production Coordinators, Managers, and Supervisors in TAG would be a step in the right direction toward erasing that disparity.

Disney, we demand you do the right thing and voluntarily recognize the IATSE and its Local 839, The Animation Guild as the exclusive representative for all Production Coordinators, Managers, and Supervisors. Trying to exclude half of us based on a standard not applicable to our industry based on current practices is an attempt to divide us. It will not work. The endurance of Disney for the past 100 years is only made possible by the workers who create the beloved films and shows that have inspired generations. Wouldn’t it be incredible if Disney began their next 100 years by recognizing and supporting their workers’ rights to organize?

Sincerely,

Production Coordinators, Production Supervisors, Production Managers, union represented WDAS employees, and additional supporters