DreamWorks Remote Workers Secure 52.4% Pay Hike
In a landmark deal, 97% of remote workers voted to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement with The Animation Guild, bringing parity with on-campus workers in wages, benefits, and protections
DreamWorks remote workers have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement with The Animation Guild, providing parity with on-campus workers in terms of wages, benefits, and protections. The agreement was ratified on August 21 with 97% of 108 eligible voters supporting the deal, representing a turnout of 83.3%.
The agreement brings significant benefits to remote workers, including the same healthcare and pension plans as on-campus workers, with $0 premiums for individuals. The lowest-paid remote artist covered by the agreement will see a compensation increase from $40.82 per hour to $62.22 per hour, a 52.4% wage increase.
The bargaining unit includes remote workers across the U.S. doing work traditionally covered under TAG's Master Agreement, including Story Artists, Animators, Character Effects Artists, Technical Directors, Lighters, Visual Development Artists, Modelers, and Production Coordinators. The group went public with their unionization effort in the fall of 2025 and won a National Labor Relations Board union election in December with a vote of 52-10.
Anthony Holden, a DreamWorks story artist and member of the union's negotiating committee, stated that the contract represents an important shift towards broader industry change that values and respects not only artists' skills but also their right to choose to live in locations around the country that are best for their families and personal circumstances.
## Why it matters The agreement marks a significant milestone for remote workers in the animation industry, who until recently did not receive the same wage scales, benefits, or protections as their on-campus counterparts. The deal establishes parity between remote and on-campus workers, providing remote workers with the same minimum wage standards, workplace protections, and health and retirement benefits as staffers covered by The Animation Guild's Master Agreement in L.A. This shift towards greater equality and respect for remote workers' rights is expected to have a broader impact on the industry, valuing not only their skills but also their personal circumstances and choices.
## What happens next With the agreement in place, remote workers at DreamWorks Animation can expect to see significant improvements in their working conditions and benefits. The agreement also sets a precedent for other remote workers in the industry, who may be inspired to seek similar deals. As the animation industry continues to evolve, this agreement marks an important step towards greater equality and respect for all workers, regardless of their location.
