The Canadian Animation Guild
WE ARE FORMING A UNION AT WILDBRAIN!
WildBrain workers are coming together to improve our working conditions by forming a union with IATSE Local 938 - Canadian Animation Guild. We are building a movement to make WildBrain a place where workers can love what they do, be proud of what they create, AND enjoy a fulfilling, sustainable, and long term career.
Who We Are
We represent the hundreds of WildBrain workers who have already said YES to forming a union at our studio.
We are a diverse group of workers united in our commitment to making things better for everyone at WildBrain. We are confident that together we can make big changes at WildBrain and across the animation industry!
Whether you are brand new to the industry or have been at it for years, whatever your job or your background, this is a movement for you!
What We Want to Change
Increased wage minimums
As is typical across Vancouver’s animation industry, wages at WildBrain have stagnated while the cost of living soars. We are paid far less than our LA-based counterparts, where unionized animation jobs are far more common. We want everyone to be paid fairly for their work while maintaining the ability to negotiate above the minimums.
Guaranteed annual wage increases
The cost of living goes up every year - but why don’t our wages? We shouldn’t have to fight our managers or rely on our bosses’ goodwill to get a raise. A union contract can guarantee predictable annual wage increases for everyone, meaning that nobody gets left behind.
Improved sick pay, health benefits, and retirement
Nobody should have to give up a career they’re passionate about because they can’t afford healthcare or retirement. As animation workers, we want to build fulfilling, long-term careers in the industry. A union contract can provide enhanced sick pay allowances, health benefits, and a retirement plan. As a union member you can maintain access to many of these benefits whether you are in work or not.
More consistency and control
Currently almost every decision made about our work and our livelihoods is made by management behind closed doors and with little to no worker consultation. We want a greater say in the decisions that impact our work lives. A union contract can provide greater stability for everyone and guarantee worker input on the decisions that matter to us.
Protection from layoffs
We understand that sometimes things happen that are outside of any one person’s control. We’ve all experienced slow periods and know that work can come and go. But why are we always the ones left high and dry when things slow down? We want better defined layoff procedures with mandatory advance notice periods, and compensation if those notice periods can’t be honoured. Over time, our aim is to build a more stable industry that works for everyone.
Representation when things go wrong
When we have a problem, we won’t need to face it alone. We will have IATSE representation with us the entire way. IATSE is home to 170,000 entertainment and cultural workers across North America and has decades of experience representing animation workers.
How We Win
Forming a union is a legal process and there are steps that we have to follow in order to certify. The steps are a bit different in each province. In BC, workers form a union when 55% or more of the eligible workers in a workplace sign a union support card.
A union support card is a legal document which indicates your support for the union. These days, cards are usually sent and signed digitally. Most workers in non-management roles are eligible to sign a union card.
We are reaching out to every worker at WildBrain to ask them to sign a support card. Once you’ve spoken to an organizer and confirmed that you are supportive, they will send a card via Adobe to your email address. Simply follow the instructions to sign the card in Adobe. Once we have received enough signed cards we will file them with the BC Labour Board, which in turn will certify the union! If you want to sign a card but nobody has contacted you yet, please use the contact form below or email us at wildbrainorganizing@gmail.com. Somebody will be in touch very soon!
Support cards are completely anonymous and confidential. Only you, the union, and the BC Labour Board will ever know who signed a card. Your employer will never find out.
More information is available on our FAQ document.
Contact Us
All communication is strictly confidential