Animation Writers Demand Union-Coverage for PBS-Made Animated Series
BOSTON, LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK (November 21, 2024) – A contingent of prominent animation writers are fighting to get PBS to agree to cover its animated series in a new Writers Guild of America (WGA) – Public Television Freelance Agreement.
The writers of series like FRONTLINE, NOVA and KEN BURNS SPECIALS are currently negotiating with management at PBS member stations WGBH, THIRTEEN and PBS SoCal on a new deal and demanding union protections for animation writers, whose work for the same stations is not currently covered by the union contract.
Earlier this week, the 94-member bargaining unit at PBS voted 100% in favor to authorize a strike if management does not agree to a fair deal by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 21, 2024. In a coordinated effort, more than 200 animation writers signed a pledge to not cross a picket line should a strike be called at PBS.
The animation pledge was delivered to PBS management at yesterday’s negotiations and was signed by writers at more than 20 animated series, including PBS’s ALMA’S WAY, CARL THE COLLECTOR, CYBERCHASE, DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, MOLLY OF DENALI, PINKALICIOUS & PETERRIFIC and WORK IT OUT WOMBATS!
The pledge reads, “As an animation writer, I stand with the WGA-covered PBS writers in fighting for a comprehensive PBS contract that includes full coverage for animation writing. By adding my name, I pledge to help the WGA win union protection for all PBS writers under the Public Television Freelance Agreement by withholding any and all writing services, including for animation, on any existing or new projects for all companies that are signatory to the Public Television Freelance Agreement, including GBH, Thirteen/NET, and PBS SoCal, for the duration of a strike, if and when a strike is called.”
Three pledge signees shared the following statements:
Tim McKeon, co-creator of ODD SQUAD and creator of HELPSTERS, said, “Having worked in kids’ TV as both producer and writer for 20 years, there is no reason that animation writers should continue to be treated as second class citizens compared to other writers at PBS. Correcting this injustice is long, long overdue… which is why I signed and totally support the strike pledge.
Leah Gotcsik, a writer on DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD and ODD SQUAD, said, “We have over 300 live-action and animation writers ready to strike if PBS doesn’t agree to a fair contract. PBS Kids writers deserve to be paid the same, whether we write for animation or live-action. This is the fair and equitable thing to do — exactly what we’d expect from the characters we lovingly write for.”
June Thiele, a writer on MOLLY OF DENALI, said, “Because of the disparity in compensation and benefits between PBS writers who aren’t covered by WGA contracts and those who are covered, I’ve had to work several jobs at a time to keep writing for MOLLY. Right now I’m in the unfortunate position where my wife and I are living without health insurance due to an inability to self-pay. Being able to join the WGA would be game-changing for us – not only to have benefits, but to have workplace protections and an ability to plan for our family’s future.”
ABOUT THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA
The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) and the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) are labor unions of writers in motion pictures, television, news, podcasts and online media. The Guilds negotiate and administer contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of their members; conduct programs, seminars, and events on issues of interest to writers; and present writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America East, visit wgaeast.org. For more information on the Writers Guild of America West, visit wga.org.
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