FAQs

The bargaining unit is made up of the workers the National Labor Relations Board recognizes as being represented by a union, either as current members or workers that have voted and been designated by the NLRB to start the process of joining a union. 

The bargaining unit at Nickelodeon Animation is composed of all the artists and production staff (specifically managers/supervisors positions and the positions below them, as well as production executive assistants and script coordinators.)

A union puts together a Negotiations Committee to represent the members during negotiations with the employers. With the help of the Guild's elected Business Representative as the lead negotiator and the Guild's lawyer, the Nickelodeon Animation Negotiations Committee members are your coworkers who have volunteered to help.

This team of volunteer members from the bargaining unit represents different crafts, shows, and member interests (these can be groups based on representation committees such as Queer TAG or POC Committee or specific member concerns like Family and Medical Leave). Using committees and member-surveying, these representatives work together to find what issues concern the members and draft proposals to change the collective bargaining agreement.

If ratified, this contract will cover the years 2021 through 2027. In 2027 we will go back to the table to negotiate a new contract. Usually contracts last only three years, however due to the pandemic, industry strikes, and a prolonged negotiations period we reached agreement with the company to extend this contract.

The Nickelodeon Contract that is negotiated separately from the Master Agreement and the AMPTP. While we are able to push for gains that are not included in the Master Agreement, we also adopt the terms and conditions of the Master Agreement that we have not specifically negotiated in our contract. For example since our Nickelodeon contract did not address AI, we will adopt all the language surrounding it that is passed in the Master Agreement.

If this contract is ratified, we cannot call for a work stoppage at Nickelodeon until the contract expires in 2027. However, you may strike in solidarity on an individual basis. Please be aware that it will not be a protected action and the studio does reserve the right to replace you until you return to work. We encourage all union members to support labor actions in other ways (via social media, lunch walks, financial aid, or in conversation with peers).

The process of negotiations between a union and employers follows a legal process. When two parties cannot reach an agreement and cannot make any further progress in discussions, they reach what is called “impasse.” A lot of back and forth discussion must happen before negotiations can reach a point that would be called impasse, and reaching this point would not happen suddenly or unexpectedly.

When negotiations have stalled, either side has the option to request third-party mediation from federal or state mediation bodies. These third parties can act to restore negotiations that are approaching an impasse to a place that is acceptable for both parties. Both sides must agree in order for a third party to mediate.

Prior to reaching impasse, employers issue a “last, best, and final offer,” a specific type of legally binding agreement offer. Employers are legally required to implement the terms of this offer in full moving forward, even if the union does not ultimately accept the offer.

If negotiations have reached a point of impasse, a union might regroup and discuss with its membership how best to proceed and make decisions about its next steps accordingly. At this point, the Negotiations Committee and Guild leadership would reach out to the membership to review priorities and discuss strategies on how to proceed, which could include overt membership actions such as a work stoppage. At this point, the bargaining unit may decide to proceed with a strike authorization vote. If a majority of the unit votes “yes” to the strike authorization vote, it does not mean that the unit goes on strike. It means that the Negotiations Committee is now empowered to call a strike as a last resort.

MPI is short for MPIPHP, or  "Motion Picture Industries Pension & Health Plan." This is the health care and pension plan used by most of the Hollywood Guilds, including the IATSE Locals.The Animation Guild is known as IATSELocal 839. TAG Members receive their healthcare benefits through MPIPHP, as well as two retirement plans—the Individual Account Pension (IAP) and the Defined Benefits Pension. 

Please visit our MPI Health Plan page for a deep dive into MPI!

You can also visit TAG's website as well as MPI's website for more details on any of the plans.

• https://www.mpiphp.org/home/health 

• https://animationguild.org/benefits/health-plans/