I Just Looked Back on the Pegboard from December 2018 to Refresh Myself on the Final Issue of What Was a Very Busy Year. This Y

ANIMATION GUILD AND AFFILIATED ELECTRONIC AND GRAPHIC ARTS Los Angeles, California, December 2019 Vol. 48, No13

I just looked back on The Pegboard from December 2018 to refresh myself on the fi nal issue of what was a very busy year. This year was a little less hectic: with our main contract (the Master Agreement) settled, we only had four smaller contracts to work out with the major studios, plus a lot of individual deals. We did, however, get a lot done besides our usual collective baragining. Highlights include taking the biggest delegation in our Local’s history to the District 2 Convention in Hono- lulu, Hawai’i, holding an election for Offi cers and E-Board and seeing member engagement and committee participation take off like a rocket. My original intention for this article was to write about the outgoing and incoming Executive Board members, changes at the Guild over the last few years and some events to look forward to in 2020. A lot of little things have happened this week, though, that have reminded me about something very important: a union is made up of working people stand- ing together to make things better for themselves and others. I decided to throw out that fi rst article and start fresh with a little insight into what kind of stuff happens behind the scenes here at the Animation Guild. We just had an election that saw many members getting involved for the fi rst time. Our former Business Rep, Jason MacLeod, decided that a single incredibly productive three-year term was enough for a mere mor- tal, so he is off to a new phase of his career and we welcomed our former MEMBERS MAKE IT HAPPEN (continued on page 3) IN THIS ISSUE Members Make It Happen ...... 1 From the President ...... 4 Dues Increase ...... 5 From the Business Representative ...... 6 Women’s March IATSE Inter-Local Sign Making Event ...... 7 Member Perspective ...... 8 Five Ways to Get Involved ...... 9 California Labor Federation Pre-Primary Convention ...... 10 TAG at Comic Arts LA ...... 11 Get App Happy ...... 12 FAM Committee Holiday Social ...... 17 Holiday Market Cheer and Funds for the IATSE PAC ...... 18 Member Party Is Moving in 2020 ...... 20 In Memoriam/TAG Members at CNS Pop-Up Shop ...... 21 January Gallery Show ...... 22 Upcoming Events at the Animation Guild ...... 23

THE PEGBOARD is published monthly by The Animation Guild and Aﬃ liated Optical Electronic and Graphic Arts IATSE Local 839, 1105 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505-2528 phone (818) 845-7500 • fax (818) 843-0300 [email protected] • www.animationguild.org

PRESIDENT BUSINESS VICE-PRESIDENT Jeanette Moreno king REPRESENTATIVE Jack Thomas Steve Kaplan RECORDING SECRETARY SERGEANT-AT-ARMS PEGBOARD EDITOR Paula Spence Robert St. Pierre Paula Spence

EXECUTIVE BOARD Jack Cusumano • Danny Ducker • Laura Hohman • Brandon Jarratt KC Johnson • Crystal Kan • Carrie Liao • Mike Milo Elisa Phillips • Stephen Silver • Emily Walus TRUSTEES KC Johnson • Carrie Liao • Stephen Silver SHOP STEWARDS Greg Colton (Fox Animation) • Scott Carpenter (Disney TVA, Sonora) Jorge Garcia (DreamWorks Feature) • Charlotte Jackson (Netfl ix) Cathy Jones (Disney TVA, Empire) • Amanda Li (Netfl ix) Kyle Neswald (Cartoon Network) • Drew Newman (Bento Box) Susan Nguyen (DreamWorks TV, Flower) • Justin Weber (Disney Feature) All contents © 2019 by TAG Local 839 IATSE. All rights reserved. ISSN 1523-9365. Publications of bona fi de labor organizations may reprint articles from this newsletter so long as attribution is given. You can stop by the Animation Guild offi ce weekdays between 8:30 am and 5 pm and pick up current or recent back copies of The Pegboard, free of charge.

PEGBOARD SUBSCRIPTION POLICY: Active members automatically receive The Pegboard free of charge. Members on honorable withdrawal may continue to receive the newsletter without charge by sending an annual writ- ten request on or before the expiration date on the mailing label. The subscription rate for suspended members and non-members is $10.00 per year ($15.00 foreign, check in U. S. funds), checks made out to the Animation Guild and sent to 1105 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505-2528, U.S.A.

The Pegboard is printed on recycled paper. 2 MEMBERS MAKE IT HAPPEN (continued on page 3) Field Rep, Steve Kaplan, to the position. Steve attended the California Labor Federation Pre-Primary Convention on December 11th and had this to say: “Acting as a delegate to the central labor council is an eye- opening experience. Usually, my focus is narrowed to the concerns of our members and the animation industry. Attending events like a COPE Convention, and the LA Fed’s House of Labor, helps me to expand my thinking and realize that organized labor, when acting together, is a pow- erful force. While I am proud to represent the interests of our members, I am honored to stand with other members of organized labor and use our power to make changes for the betterment of all working people.” Here are some other ways that individuals worked to make some pretty darn cool things happen – just in the last several days. Roger Oda wrote an opinion piece (p. 8) to say why he’s going to stay engaged after running for offi ce in the recent election. Jeanette Moreno King was sworn in as President after a very long and hectic day of travel from the other end of the country and she still had the energy to write her fi rst “From the President” piece for this newsletter (p. 4). Outgoing E-Board member Ashley Long organized a second Holiday Market, where talented and crafty TAG members sold their wares (p.18). Over 100 members donated their Post-It Note artwork to raise $1500-plus for the IATSE PAC, which lobbies for workers rights and labor-friendly legislation in Washington, DC (p.19). Our Field Rep Leslie Simmons ran the fundrais- er, made several studio visits, coordinated TAG member participation at several events outside the Guild, attended meetings to share the exper- tise she gained working at other unions so that our Local can be more eff ective, and somehow also showed up at the COPE Convention (p. 10) and an IATSE Inter-Local Union Power event. Kris Mukai moderated a forum on Unionizing for Artists at Comic Arts LA (p. 11), then spread the word about a Game Workers Unite potluck to other TAG members (p. 23). Kristin Donner and Kyle Neswald brought families together at the FAM Committee Holiday Social (p. 17). Teri and Jack Cusumano prepared for an IATSE inter-Local signmaking event for the Women’s March in January. And as soon as I fi nish writing the next few sentences, I will have completed another issue of The Pegboard, which has been published since the early 1960s – this newsletter doesn’t write itself! It takes engaged members to run a labor union, and I’m thankful there are so many people working together to make ours a strong one. I hope you keep reading because there’s lots more good stuff to come in 2020! — Paula Spence, Pegboard Editor 3 My fi rst meeting as president didn’t start as I expected. I was late to the swearing in of the new Executive Board. My fl ight from Baltimore had been delayed a few hours and. with the added hour- long drive from LAX. guaranteed I was not going to make it in time to the Smokehouse in Burbank where, per tradition, the changing of the Board takes place. Texts were fl ying back and forth on how to proceed with the meeting. We fi nally decided that KC, the outgoing Guild Presi- dent, would wait to relinquish the chair until I arrived and would run the meeting until she and I could be sworn in to our new positions. WHEW. It was a packed fl ight with a harried crew with no patience for the whimpering 7-month-old Chihuahua mix I regretfully thought would be “fun” to travel with. A supervisor was waiting at the gate to inform me that this was going on our permanent record and the dog would be banned from any future fl ights. I tried my best to hide my glee and show contrition for this punishment. After a not so short shuttle ride to Lot E, my family and I, with our still whining puppy, jumped into our car and headed into rush hour traf- fi c. It was one of those days where taking surface streets had the same ETA as the highways – bad but it could’ve been much worse. When we arrived I felt pangs of guilt as I left my family with our audibly distressed pooch and headed into The Smokehouse. A cheer went up as I entered the meeting room. These are my people. The outgoing Board seated next to our incoming Board warmed my heart. Being in the company of these talented, motivated individuals who are willing to give of themselves for the greater good of our industry and members is a real privilege. To have been elected to lead such a fi ne group is truly humbling. They all make me work harder and expect more from myself. With food orders placed, I took control of the gavel. The conversation and exchange of ideas between outgoing and incoming Boards is stimu- lating to watch. I wish we could have one last meeting with both Boards.

4 There was much to discuss at this meeting and the new Board members, most of whom have already been actively participating on committees and as shop stewards, were off and running. First acton items on our list: hire a new Field Rep, hire someone to handle member services, fi nish the transition to our new database and roll it out to the members, discuss the formation of a strike fund explor- atory committee, encourage offi cer training for the new Board, and talk about the expansion of Craft Representatives in other disciplines beyond storyboards. As the meeting ended close to 11 pm, the restaurant was being shut down around us. I walked through the empty dining rooms feeling en- ergized and optimistic about what we will be able to accomplish in this term. I got home to a sleeping family,a warm, calm puppy, and a profound feeling of contentment. We, as a Union, are in good hands.

5 Watching the engagement increase over the past three years has really been inspiring. As I reported to the incoming Executive Board in our December meeting, I feel continuing eff orts to increase engagement is a top priority. Active and engaged members have helped direct the actions of the Guild in new and exciting directions. Now is the time to reach out and make your voices heard! Let the Executive Board know about your ideas and how you want to help bring positive change. Members reached out and asked for better access to their membership records, including outstanding dues balances, payment statements and reported work history. As a result, we included a membership portal in the database we are working with WinMill to build, which we expect to roll out next year. Members reached out and asked to better communicate through the studios with craft specifi c issues. In supporting that eff ort, engaged TAG members worked with Field Rep Leslie Simmons to start the Craft Representative Program where members working as storyboard artists are connecting. In preparations for the contract negotiations last year, members came together in craft meetings and then in the negotiation committee to learn about the negotiation process and identify priorities and key issues to discuss with the employers. Due to their eff orts, we achieved substan- tial gains in our agreement. After a few months into the new agreement, members are discussing priorities and expressing eager interest to improve the agreement again starting craft specifi c committees. In all of these examples, members engaged with the leadership of the Guild and championed eff orts that would make their lives better. The results of the last elections brought ten new people on the Executive Board (two returning from a brief hiatus). These new leaders stated their desires to work at bringing positive change to the Guild and our agreements. Now is your opportunity to work together to bring something new and exciting to the members. The next General Membership meeting was moved to January 21, 2020. I look forward to seeing you there and hearing your ideas. I wish you all a fantastic holiday season and a joyous new year.

6 Please check for 401(k) deductions on your paystub!

It’s always a good idea to review your paystub to make sure that all deductions are coming out according to your plan. Regular and 50+ catch-up deductions should come out before taxes, but 401(k) Roth deductions are taxed now so that you won’t be taxed when you take disbursements in retirement. A weekly review can also tell you if your 401(k) contributions are adding up in accordance with the percentage you directed to have deducted each week. Please look to see if your deductions are proceeding as planned, and if not, take action as soon as possible. For ques- tions, please contact the 401(k) Plan Administrator by email at [email protected] – or by phone at 818-845-7500.

7 I’M STILL HERE and You Should Be, Too.

As the new year approaches, I have been refl ecting on my experience running for the Animation Guild Executive Board. Although I was not elected to a position this time, I was very pleased to participate in the democratic process. There were a few issues in this election that were passionately debated, and I admit I was concerned about how divided we appeared. However, after talking with members of other labor organizations, the sentiment I heard repeated was, passion is good. The death of a union is apathy. We have a long road ahead so let’s not get comfortable and expect the new Board to do all the lifting for us. We say “solidarity,” but what does it mean? We encourage more involvement but it isn’t always clear how individuals can be involved. Two paths are open to you right now to help our organization. One way is to join a committee. While running for the Executive Board, I was pleased but surprised to fi nd that the issues I cared most about are already being addressed through various committees. I ran on the benefi ts a Guild app could bring. That is one of several ideas current- ly being developed by the Communications Committee, of which I am now a part. I believe we need better preparations for upcoming negotiations and the possibility of a strike. A Preparedness Committee was just enacted at our last General Membership Meeting. If you still care about the issues we discussed and debated in the elections you don’t need the power of an elected offi cer to make a diff erence. Your participation is needed. The more people actively involved in each group boosts what those groups can achieve. Any event or action taken by our union is due to the eff orts of the members behind it. All the current committees and their contacts are listed on the guild website: https://animationguild.org/ committees/.

8 The second established way you can help is to become a Shop Stew- ard. Stewards are literally the boots on the ground in our workplaces and the most eff ective way for us to reach our members. For years we’ve had one steward per studio if we were lucky. One per production if not more would be better. The Storyboard Committee has already organized nearly every show at three studios for Storyboard Craft Representatives. Because I believe the Guild benefi ts and aff ects my everyday life I am committing to actively participating. Not just when an election or negotiation calls for it, or just to attend General Membership Meetings every other month. Our union is like anything else that has a value outside our 9 to 5 jobs. It thrives on the regular participation of its body, like a sports league or a drawing group. The Guild is our space, it both serves and is moved by us. If you are reading this now and you ever considered helping but felt you haven’t had the time, this is the time. Contact our Field Rep, Leslie Simmons, about being a steward: [email protected]. Contact a committee chair listed on the Animation Guild’s website that you may be interested in. Join me in helping this new Board become successful and let’s make changes happen that we can own.

9 Animation Guild delegates attended the California Labor Federa- tion Pre-Primary Convention on December 11th. Participants came together to decide Labor’s statewide endorsements of candidates for the State Legislature and the U.S. Congress for the 2020 primary election in March. The Guild sent four delegates: Steve Kaplan, Jeanette Moreno King, Emily Walus and Scott Carpenter. Political Coordinator Leslie Simmons organized our delegation and attended the event as well. Emily Walus says, “It was a pleasure attending the COPE Convention, and seeing democracy and labor organizing in action! California political candidates, with pro-labor leanings, were presented by an executive board to unions in attendance. While many endorsements passed without question, there was at least one that got rescinded through compelling ar- guments by representatives in the audience. There is simply no way one person, from one perspective, can thoroughly research labor leanings of all political candidates running for Assembly, Congress, and Senate—it is a monumental task, made possible by workers coming together, dedicat- ing their time, and making their voices heard!” If you see our delegates on the job, give them a big thank you!

Our Animation Guild representatives, from left to right: Business Rep Steve Kaplan, Shop Steward Scott Carpenter, E-Board member Emily Walus, President Jeanette Moreno King and Field Rep/Political Coordinator Leslie Simmons. 10 Animation Guild member Kris Mukai recently moderated an open forum at Comic Arts LA where artists from many diverse fi elds discussed Unionizing for Artists. Workers from the animation, comics and freelance illustration industries spoke about their experiences, learned about the Freelance Solidarity Project and added their thoughts to the ongoing campaign toward better working conditions for all artists. After the forum, Kris put other Guild members in touch with leaders from the organizing eff orts so we can share our strength and celebrate together. Kris has been increasingly active at the Animation Guild over the last couple of years and has volunteered her time and talents to projects she feels passionate about, such as helping members understand how their MPI Pension & Health Plan benefi ts work and changing the culture of testing in the animation industry. She suggested the idea of making a zine to share Delegates’ impressions of the IATSE District 2 Convention in Honolulu, Hawai’i, and her comic “Everyday Health” in Keyframe won an ILCA Media Award. Thank you for sharing your ideas, Kris!

Kris Mukai (right side, white t-shirt) leads a discussion on unionizing with artists from many crafts at Comic Arts LA on December 7th. 11 Animation Guild members have a lot of options at their fi ngertips when they download mobile phone apps that can help them discover and manage health and pension benefi ts, report workplace safety issues, keep an eye on their 401(k) account, and fi nd great deals. The Communications Committee is discussing the future development of a TAG app that would connect members to the Guild through push notifi cations and access to the member portals that will be rolling out once the transition to our new eMembership platform has been completed. We will be planning lunchtime focus groups at the studios, so send us an email at [email protected] if you are: a) interested in participating in one; and/or b) would like to coordinate one at your studio. In the meantime, you can download these apps through your phone to make the most of your union membership.

IATSE Safety App The IATSE Safety Info Reporting App was designed primarily for reporting physical safety hazards on live action sets (unsafe electrical cables, being asked to work in severe weather or vehicle safety issues) and also allows one to report harassment on a job. You can call the hotline or use the drop down menu in the app and select “harassment” as your topic.

12 MPIPHP Created for the Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plans, the MPI App is designed to provide a quick guide so that participants of the Plans can: learn about their health and retirement beneﬁ ts, easily pay for their health coverage, calculate their retirement beneﬁ ts and view ID cards for Anthem Blue Cross. Register your account at MPIPHP.org before signing in on the mobile app.

Optum MyLiveandworkwell (for members with MPI’s Anthem Blue Cross PPO)

Life happens 24/7. The myLiveandworkwell app from Optum can help you navigate the cha- os and ﬁ nd answers and support you can trust. Use it to learn about your EAP services, ﬁ nd providers and get authorizations – anytime, anywhere. You can even connect with an EAP specialist instantly via the click-to-call and chat features. Prefer to explore topics such as anxiety, caregiving, parenting, relationships and depres- sion on your own? Browse the app’s extensive library. Enter Access Code: MPIPHP

13 Talkspace Counseling & Therapy (for members with MPI’s Anthem Blue Cross PPO) Now available through Optum: Talkspace is the most convenient and af- fordable way to improve your mental health. Get matched with a licensed therapist in your state from the comfort of your device, and message via text, audio, and video.

MyChart (for members with MPI’s Anthem Blue Cross PPO who use UCLAhealth facilities and doctors) MyChart gives you access to your lab results, appointment information, current medications, immunization history, and more on your mobile device. With MyChart you can: view your health information, stay in touch with your physician, manage your appointments and access your family’s health information. You must ﬁ rst create an account through your health- care provider in order to access your information through MyChart. Contact UCLAhealth directly about accessing your account through their patient portal and the MyChart app.

14 Express Scripts (for members with PPO, long-term mail order prescriptions) The newly designed Express Scripts app lets you easily and quickly ﬁ nd everything you need for your medicine. Find a preferred pharmacy, reﬁ ll your prescriptions, check your order status and access your ID card.

PLEASE NOTE: You can also download apps for Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser and Health Net. These may help you to fi nd providers in your network, but since MPI’s Health Plans are run independently from Anthem, Kaiser and Health Net you won’t be able to connect to your MPI benefi ts through these apps. MPI plan participants should keep in touch with MPI for information about MPIPHP eligibility and benefi ts.

15 Vanguard (for 401k Plan participants) Use the app to manage account activity (check your balances, monitor performance, view account statements and messages, review employer- sponsored plan) and stay informed (use the portfolio analysis tool, track market index trends, research investments, view and share the latest news).

Union Plus App (union member discount/benefi ts program) Union members get access to thousands of discounts on everything from pizza and the zoo, to movie tickets, oil changes and car rentals! Top features include: notifi cations about nearby off ers, instant in-store discounts at nearby restaurants and retailers, movie showtimes and trailers and big savings at over 300 popular theme parks and attractions with no hidden fees and eTickets on-demand. MEMBERS-ONLY: If you aren’t regis- tered for Union Plus Entertainment Discounts, please go to www.union- plus.org/entertainment-discounts and sign up before using the app.

16 The Animation Guild’s Family and Membership (FAM) Commit- tee held a Holiday Social on December 8th. The event featured holiday cookie and card decorating, kids’ group play, and social networking. Thanks to everyone who came out – we were glad to see some familiar faces and meet new friends, as well. Special thanks to Pearl for provid- ing home-made cookies and icing, Chris for sharing toys for group play, Kyle and Kristin for organizing card stock and art supplies, and Jupey for setting up the room. Attendees’ cheerful holiday cards will be delivered to the residents at the Motion Picture & Television Fund retirement home in Woodland Hills!

17 18 19 Don’t miss out on Animation Guild events! Keep your contact information up-to-date and sign up for our e-mail list at https://animationguild. org/about-the-guild/change-address/. You can GO GREEN – and save the Guild printing and mailing costs – by choosing to view our TAG publications digitally rather than receiving a hard copy in the mail. Visit https://animationguild.org/about-the-guild/publication-preferences/. 20 Craig Gardner passed away on October 22, 2019. He worked as a Background Artist at Warner Bros, New World, Marvel and Hanna-Barbera.

Cartoon Network Pop-Up Shop Some Animation Guild members followed up the 2019 Holiday Mar- ket with a stop at Cartoon Network Studios’ Pop-Up Shop on December 11th. There’s Kris Mukai signing her comics, across from Nic Gregory and Abe Audish. Many more TAG members spread out their wares for friends and colleagues who were doing some fun holiday shopping.

21 22 December 25th – Contract Holiday: Christmas Day

December 31st – TAG Tuesday – Wear your TAG T-shirt to work!

January 1st – Contract Holiday: New Year’s Day

January 6th – AAI Winter 2020 Semester starts

January 10th – Gallery 839 – New Show Opening, 6-9 p.m.

January 20th – Contract Holiday: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (DreamWorks and Nickelodeon only)

January 21st – General Membership Meeting Refreshments at 6:30, meeting starts at 7 p.m. PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE!

January 28th – TAG Tuesday – Wear your TAG T-shirt to work!

January 28th – IATSE Mid-Winter GEB in Dallas, Texas

Shop Steward Justin Weber and E-Board member Crystal Kan were among several members in attendance at a Game Workers Unite Potluck held on December 14th. The Game Workers Unite folks from LA and Orange Counties invited union members and organizers in adjacent industries to share food, support and inspiration ahead of a busy 2020. 23 The AnimaƟ on Guild Local 839 IATSE First Class Mail NONPROFIT ORG. 1105 N. Hollywood Way U. S. Postage Paid U. S. POSTAGE PAID Burbank, CA 91505-2528 Permit 25 VAN NUYS, CA North Hollywood, CA PERMIT 25

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