The Animation Guild now officially, successfully represents animation workers in a right-to-work state.
IATSE Local 839 announced Tuesday that 129 artists and production workers at Powerhouse Animation Studios in Austin, Texas — the studio behind Netflix’s Castlevania — had ratified their first contract via a 96% supermajority vote.
In their contract, Powerhouse workers secured provisions regarding wage equality, job security, retirement benefits, and more. The company also has a smaller studio in Los Angeles, which is also a TAG signatory.
“This is one of the strongest agreements we have been able to negotiate, and the crew’s resolve to their priority issues is the reason. I also want to acknowledge the work Powerhouse and its leadership team put in,” Steve Kaplan, TAG Business Representative, said in a statement. “We all had to be flexible to get to the finish line, and they showed their commitment to being a productive partner with the Union in the negotiations. I look forward to welcoming our newest Texas-based members to Guild membership, and working with the studio to build on this strong agreement in the future.”