Funds will benefit entertainment industry professionals impacted by COVID-19.
BURBANK -- The Animation Guild’s Executive Board has voted to donate $210,000 to support all International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) members through the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) and the Los Angeles Federation of Labor’s Labor Community Services division.
While most sectors of the entertainment industry are suffering significant job loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the Animation Guild members’ work has not been impacted, and guild membership has increased since the last quarter. As a result, the executive board determined that the Animation Guild IATSE Local 839, as part of the larger IATSE community, should pay it forward by supporting those who are in need now or will need assistance in the future.
“It's very difficult meet with other union representatives and hear about the struggles our IATSE brothers and sisters are facing,” commented The Animation Guild business representative, Steve Kaplan. “So many people are in need. Yet, our guild members have been very fortunate; animation employers quickly understood our work could continue effectively from home. Times are hard for all of us, but 839 members are in a unique position to help the rest of our IATSE family. Donating these funds was the quickest way for us to do that.”
“We have a unique blessing in that we're still able to work, so I think it's our duty to lend a hand to others in IATSE who are having a harder time right now," added executive board member Jack Cusumano.
The MPTF will receive $200,000 from the Animation Guild to support all IATSE members, while Labor Community Services will receive $10,000 to support their ongoing efforts to bring food to union members.
Source: Animation Guild
