As Negotiations Continue, Animation Union Looks To Close Gender Gap

Here are the morning’s top stories on Monday, September 16, 2024…

• The Animation Guild, which represents thousands of animation artists, writers and technicians, is restarting negotiations with Hollywood studios on Monday. Hollywood’s been churning out animated hits since the 1930’s. And since this heyday certain jobs have been dominated by women. There’s now growing evidence that a historical gender bias could be the reason for an existing pay gap.
• Governor Gavin Newsom signed more than two dozen bills into law over the weekend, and vetoed six others. The governor has until September 30 to sign or veto bills. 
• Crews were able to take advantage of cooler weather over the weekend as they attempt to better contain three large wildfires burning across Southern California.

Hollywood’s Animation Union Wants To End A Gender Pay Gap

“Equal pay for equal paint!” That’s the rallying cry of The Animation Guild as they resume negotiations with Hollywood studios on September 16 for a new three-year contract. In addition to a deal protecting workers against the threat of AI and jobs moving overseas, the union wants pay equity for color designers —  a job historically dominated by women.

There’s been progress in Hollywood to address long-standing concerns that the wages of historically female-dominated crafts lag behind historically male-dominated ones. Most recently, costume designers closed a pay gap with peers during contract negotiations in July, after six years of organizing around the issue. 

In 2021, studios agreed to increase the starting wage to $51.50 an hour for color designers, who create the palettes for anything that moves in animation, like characters, props, and effects. This wage placed them one-third closer to the starting wage of other design roles in animation like background painters who make a minimum of $56.38 an hour.

Governor Signs More Than Two Dozen Bills Into Law

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a number of bills into law over the weekend. 

Among the bills approved is AB 2690, which requires schools to inform parents that dangerous counterfeit drugs are sometimes advertised and sold on social media.The law adds to an existing requirement for schools to warn parents about the dangers of pills laced with synthetic drugs like fentanyl. AB 2477 was also signed into law. It aims to prevent homelessness among youth in foster care by building stronger financial safety nets for them as they become adults. 

The governor also vetoed a handful of bills. He has until September 30 to sign or veto bills that are on his desk.

Crews Make Progress On Southern CA Wildfires

Fire crews were able to take advantage of milder conditions over the weekend as they continue to battle three major wildfires across Southern California.

The Bridge Fire has burned more than 54,000 acres in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, but is now 11% contained. The Line Fire in San Bernardino County has burned more than 39,000 acres and is 42% contained. And the Airport Fire in Orange and Riverside counties has burned more than 23,000 acres and is now 31% contained.