Sep 28, 2023

Walt Disney Animation Studios Production Workers Get Their Wishes as NLRB Approves Union Vote

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued an election directive allowing Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDAS) production workers to vote on unionizing with the Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839.

The studio's production workers first sought voluntary recognition from Disney in March, but studio leadership refused. Now, more than seven months later, the NLRB has allowed the vote.

The reason the process took so long is that Disney attempted to hinder workers' efforts to organize by excluding production managers and supervisors from the bargaining group. Dividing the worker base by job title is a tactic often used by large corporations to make unionization more difficult.

The NLRB's latest decision puts a definitive end to this strategy, clearly establishing that WDAS production supervisors and production managers are not classified as "supervisors, management employees, or confidential employees under the National Labor Relations Act." In other words, production supervisors and managers share a community of interest with the production coordinator and can be part of the same bargaining unit.

In response to the NLRB ruling, WDAS Production Coordinator Liz Davalos stated:

This historic victory during Disney's centennial year means that production people can turn their wishes into reality. sustainable wages, benefits, and growing careers that honestly reflect the strategic craft of production management. [This victory exemplifies the core of why we unionize. We knew throughout this process that everyone in our unit deserved to qualify, but the company still decided to pursue this long and difficult process to divide us. We have been patient and determined, and we feel very validated in winning this huge victory, not only for ourselves, but for the animation industry as a whole.

And Production Supervisor Nora Rogers says:

We are one step closer to having a say in our own future, and the NLRB decision gives us the opportunity to stop asking and start demanding. We still have a long road ahead of us, but this victory shows that our courage, passion, and drive can take us anywhere, including to the negotiating table.

Now that the call for a vote has been issued, IATSE hopes that WDAS will voluntarily approve all units and negotiate a new contract in good faith. If not, voting will take place from October 10-31, with the votes being counted on November 1.