COMP NEWS – Powerhouse Animation, known for producing Netflix’s gothic smash hit Castlevania, has voluntarily recognized a bargaining unit of over 100 workers, a rare feat in the industry.

Powerhouse Animation has voluntarily recognized a bargaining unit of 129 artists and production workers at the Texas-based studio.

This marks the first time that animation workers will be represented by The Animation Guild in a right-to-work state. In a right-to-work state, no individual can be forced to pay dues or fees to a labor union as a condition of their employment. That means it’s up to each employee whether or not they decide to join a union, even though they would still be protected by any collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the union.

Powerhouse’s decision to recognize the bargaining unit also means that Texas becomes the second state outside of California to have TAG-represented animation workers.

Powerhouse Animation artists have worked on numerous popular animated series including Netflix’s Castlevania and Masters of the Universe: Revelation. Powerhouse also operates a smaller studio in Los Angeles, which is already signed to a collective bargaining agreement with the Guild.

Animation studios routinely work long hours in “crunch” periods in order to meet strict deadlines. With the formation of Powerhouse Animation’s first union, workers can now bargain for better benefits and compensation.

Now that the studio has recognized the workers’ bargaining unit, Powerhouse and TAG will begin negotiations on a first collective bargaining agreement.

In a release, TAG business representative Steve Kaplan said:

“Representing the Powerhouse artistic and production staff further solidifies The Animation Guild as the Union setting the standard for workplace conditions in the animation industry. I also want to commend Powerhouse leadership in reaching a voluntary recognition agreement. I look forward to building on our established good relationship in Los Angeles to reach a first contract with the Austin studio.”

To read more about Powerhouse Animation’s unionization, click here.

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