The animators of Comedy Central’s “Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out the News” have voted “overwhelmingly” to unionize, the animation guild IATSE Local 83 announced Thursday.
They are the second group of animation workers and production workers in New York to do so this year, after Titmouse New York opted to unionize in January.
“I was greatly inspired by my colleagues at Titmouse New York, who finally took the first step to allow animation workers in New York to have a collective voice! I am calling on Late Night Cartoons to voluntarily recognize our union Because all the wonderful, hardworking, passionate people who are my coworkers deserve benefits, protection, and fair treatment just like any of our partners represented by entertainment associations in LA,” said prepared animator Lin Fong in a news release. Late Night Cartoons, Inc. is a subsidiary of CBS Corporation, dedicated exclusively to the production of animated comedy series.
A petition is to be filed with the National Labor Relations Board today to conduct elections and certify the union. According to the press release, the Animation Guild is also submitting a letter of voluntary accreditation to CBS Eye Animation Productions.
“For seven years in this industry I have found fighting for myself an uphill and mostly pointless battle. Late Night Collective [the name of the organizing committee] It’s working together to make sure we all have a voice, and that voice matters. Consistent and affordable healthcare, fair hours and fair pay are issues near and dear to my heart, and together we ask that Late Night Cartoons voluntarily recognize our union so that we can continue our hard work without fear That’s what will happen when the season ends,” said Cassidy Roth, a graphics artist on “Tooning Out the News.”
