Animation Guild Ratifies Contract Despite AI Fears

variety.com:

Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer The Animation Guild has ratified its contract with the major studios, despite concerns from some about protections against artificial intelligence.

The guild announced that 76.1% of the members voted in favor of the deal. “This agreement is the next step forward in our goal to create the strongest contract for our members,” said Steve Kaplan, the business representative of the union, in a statement.

The three-year contract includes raises of 7%, 4%, and 3.5% across the board, as well as higher gains for specific crafts. Among them is a provision requiring “pay equity” for color designers, which has been traditionally female dominated, and a staffing minimum for TV animation writers.

The deal did not include most of the negotiators’ more ambitious demands, such as a provision allowing members to opt out of using AI in their jobs, and to opt out of having their work used to train AI systems.