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Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938

@cag938.bsky.social

Canada's first IATSE animation union, representing Animation and Game Design Workers in British Columbia

125 Posts879 Follower 162 Folgt

No AI Vancouver @noaivancouver.bsky.social · 2w ago

Good news: the rezoning for the Mt. Pleasant AI data centre has been referred back to staff, likely relaying the approval hearing until after the October election - due to "huge public interest"! Thanks to our friends at @cag938.bsky.social for the graphic! #Vancouver #VanPoli #NoAI #BigTech

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 3w ago

Atomic Workers - curious about how a union can help to protect artists with the introduction of AI/Gen AI tools at Atomic? An executive board member of CAG 938 will speak on the AI protection language bargained in numerous union agreements across the North American entertainment industry.

An illustrated poster with the text reading "Atomic Workers: Let's have a REAL TALK about A.I. July 16, 7 PM. Online RSVP". There is a drawing of a cartoon character hitting another cartoon character with a large mallet.

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 4w ago

IATSE members & supporters, join us outside of Sun Wah Centre (268 Keefer) TOMORROW @ 2 PM for an informational rally in support of our IATSE Kin in the Arts & Cultural Workers' Union who have been locked out by their employer, Centre A! ✊🔴

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 4w ago

Also at VAAM 2026: Portfolio Reviews! Hosted by our Education Committee, our FREE all-day portfolio reviews will be provided by our knowledgeable animation industry veterans and will be 1st come-1st served. Make sure to take the time to get some valuable feedback!

Two cartoon characters talk to each other across a table. There is a book of drawings between them. In the top right of the image are the words "Portfolio Reviews". On the bottom of the image is the event information:

Vancouver Animators Art Market - VAAM - July 19, 2026
Russian Hall
600 Campbell Ave
Vancouver
12 - 5 PM

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 4w ago

This SUNDAY in VANCOUVER CAG 938 Education Committee's Art Supply Swap!

A bunch of colourful little cartoon characters are floating in colourful space with giant art supplies. The text reads:

Art Supply Swap
SUNDAY JULY 12th; 1 - 4 PM
GASTON PARK
3470 Crowley Drive, Vancouver

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 4w ago

CAG members & supporters, join us tomorrow @ the BC Nurses Union picket line TOMORROW July 7th @ VGH on 12th ave! Look for the CAG banner, we'll be there at 10 am & again at 6:30 pm ✊🔴

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · last mo.

VAAM 2026 artists list and map PART 2a 💫 See you all at the Russian Hall, Vancouver on July 19th from 12-5 PM!

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · last mo.

Our hearts break for the loss of our industry colleague, Luis de la Rosa. He worked freelance alongside many of our members over the years, and is remembered as a talented animator and positive presence to all who knew him. His loss has left a hole in our community and will be deeply missed.

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · last mo.

From the CAG 938 Data Centre Response Committee:

An illustration of a fist grabbing a pencil with text that reads:

"THEY HEARD US! Thanks to everyone who submitted comments last Friday. Our City Planner is now recommending a public hearing period for the Mount Pleasant AI Data Center Development! What's next? City Council!"

We need our voices to be heard before a vote is made! The decision to approve the Mount Pleasant Data Center is not yet final. Now that the City Planner has recommended a public hearing on this project, it's time to urge City Council to accept the recommendation. Call and email the members of Vancouver City COuncil TODAY! Want a template? Keep Swiping! (NO.DC.BC - The Canadian Animation Guild)

Blank page have you stuck? Here are some points to start you off:

"Hello < council member >, my name is < enter >.

As someone why lives and works in Vancouver, I am urging you to support a public hearing prior to the approval of the M3 Facility at 111 E 5th Ave.

Because this facility is right in the heart of Mount Pleasant, and a growing neighbourhood of restaurants, VFX and Animation studios, and galleries, the location of this data centre affects the residents of Vancouver in a number of detrimental ways. Water and electricity usage, especially during a time of water restrictions, would be damaging to the local community and businesses. Noise and air pollution, common among existing data centres, would have a harmful impact on the health and well-being of workers in the area. Ultimately, this development would stifle the long-term economic growth of Mount Pleasant's diverse workplaces.

Please consider holding a hearing before a decision is made about this facility."

Anything to add? Feel free to share in the comments!

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · last mo.

VAAM 2026 artists list and map PART 1a 💫 See you all at the Russian Hall, Vancouver on July 19th from 12-5 PM! @supersailorsewing.bsky.social potentialforart.carrd.co diesel-punk.carrd.co

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 2mo ago

We love our dedicated members! Stay tuned for our CAG 938 Pride's next blood drive ✊🩸

Jenn (^_^)/ 🇨🇦@canadacobrachicken.bsky.social · 2mo ago

I finally hit 25 blood donations today! And I got to do it with the great folks from @cag938.bsky.social ‘s Pride Committee. If you’ve ever wanted to donate, but are nervous about going alone, join us next time and we’ll cheer you on 😁🩸CBS was also kind enough to replace my “10” pin I lost

No AI Vancouver @noaivancouver.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Today is the last day to join our friends at CAG in telling the city government that we don't want an AI data centre in Mount Pleasant! #vanpoli #vancouver #NoAI

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938@cag938.bsky.social · 2mo ago

CAG AI Data Centre Response Committee: We have until this Friday (June 12) to tell the City of Vancouver how we feel about the Mt Pleasant AI Data Centre! Comment period on the Planner Report for the 111 E 5th Ave rezoning app about to close!

A simple graphic in muted mustard yellow.

"NO.DC.BC. The Canadian Animation Guild.

Mount Pleasant AI Data Centre Development Plan is accepting public comment until FRIDAY JUNE 12TH.

Tell City Hall that we want the M3 facility at 111 East 5th Ave (AI Data Centre) to be subject to a public hearing!

Email City Planner Leifka Vissers at leifka.vissers@vancouver.ca

Keep it brief! Keep it respectful!"

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 2mo ago

CAG 938's Vancouver Animators Art Market RETURNS! Our THIRD annual VAAM brings you 30 Union artists with illustrations, zines, crafts, & we're bringing back the incredibly popular Portfolio Reviews, provided by CAG 938 Education Committee & our skilled member volunteers! Sunday, July 19 - 12-5 PM

An illustrated poster of purples, greens, and blues. The title "Vancouver Animators Art Market * VAAM * July 19, 2026" is shaped into a sphere, and floating arts and crafts objects are whizzing around it following comets surrounding it. The total image looks like it's in cute, cartoony outer space, there's even a little cartoon character in the bottom corner in a little space suit. The information reads: " Art * Craft * Portfolio Reviews * 100% by Union Artists * Free Attendance. Russian Hall, 600 Campbell Ave, Vancouver. 12 - 5 PM July 19, 2026"

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The results are in! ICON workers are the newest members of CAG 938!

With a 86.2% turnout and 87.3%% of votes in favour, the ICON Collective Agreement is RATIFIED!

This evening, after nearly 2 years of bargaining, ICON workers have crossed the finish line. In the face of a protracted bargaining cycle, workers held strong and fought for the studio they wanted to see. The wins we see in this agreement are a testament to your engagement, optimism and energy.

The Executive Board of CAG 938 would like to extend our most heartfelt thanks to all the ICON workers who have volunteered over the past 22 months, whether as members of the Bargaining Committee, as participants at the table, or as Shop Captains!

Next week, we will begin putting this agreement into practice, and we will set out on the long road towards preparing for the multi-studio negotiations of 2028. But tonight, we celebrate the achievements of workers who gave it their all to protect and uplift themselves and their coworkers.

Tonight, more than ever before, ICON is a Union Studio!

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 2mo ago

ICON Worker Roozbeh tells us what's exciting to them about the Tentative Agreement: Overtime Edition! ✊🔴

A photo of a person looking at the camera with text beside them that reads:

“There is no such thing as free work,” I always say. I was delighted to see a clear and more defined overtime procedure in place. Overtime is demanding enough on its own, let alone when those hours go without any compensation. It was only a few years ago that unreasonable deadlines forced some artists to endure "ghost hours."

I have never understood the logic behind unpaid labor. My commitment began when I was first asked to stay late for a delivery without pay. Since then, I have been a vocal advocate for fair compensation, insisting that overtime pay be guaranteed across every department without exception.

Roozbeh - Senior Modeling and Texturing - 4.5 years

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Retirement Plans: ICON Worker Chris tell us what's exciting about the Tentative Agreement! ✊🔴

A photo of a person posing and looking at the camera with their dog. The text beside them reads:

"I'm super excited to finally have a proper retirement plan, something we've been pushing for for years now. We all know how unstable this industry can be and pairing that with how expensive Vancouver life is and the constantly increasing cost of living, it can be hard to imagine being able to save enough to retire at all sometimes. It seems fairly minor but having a group retirement plan that includes employer contributions will make planning for the future easier and take weight off my shoulders to do all my saving myself. It gives me more hope for the future, making me feel like it's possible to actually do the work we all love until retiring.

Chris - Modeling and Texturing Supervisor - 9 years"

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Speaking of AI, here's what one ICON worker said about what's important to them about their Tentative Agreement (polls open tomorrow morning, ICON workers!) ✊🔴

A photograph of a person and their dog, with text that reads:

"Like a lot of artists, I've been watching the rapid evolution of generative imaging with rising concern while global legislation around it just hasn't kept up.

This technology is currently affecting creative industries everywhere, and too often in ways that exploit artists. From the data used to train these models to the very jobs being replaced by them. And we now know that its effect on the environment is catastrophic.
Knowing there was essentially nothing in place to protect us has made me really anxious about the future.

So I'm genuinely excited that this contract includes clear, concrete language around AI and technological changes. Artists will now actually have a voice in how and whether this technology gets used. It's a real foundation to stand on, and one we can continue to build from as this technology keeps evolving.
This is something that matters a lot to me, and it's a huge relief to finally have it in writing.

Morgane - Modeling/Texturing Supervisor - 7+ years"

Sharon Nadeem @sharonnadeem.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Big anti-AI data center protest at City Hall in Vancouver. A lot of different groups coming together – animation union @cag938.bsky.social @bcgreens.bsky.social leader @emilylowan.bsky.social, @copevancouver.bsky.social. Organizers promise this is the first of many marches.

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 3mo ago

A timely letter from CAG 938 President Eddy Pedreira re: AI Data Centres -

This past week, CAG members have heard about the federally-subsidized Telus project to build 3 AI data centres in B.C., with one scheduled to be built in DT Vancouver near BC Place. This plan ties into the federal government’s “Enabling Large-Scale Sovereign AI Data Centres” program, & confirms labour experts’ evaluation of the Carney administration’s budget strategy to be an “all-in bet on artificial intelligence”.

Animation, VFX and digital arts workers are well aware of the deeply harmful impacts of this AI investment spree. Most major players in this push are openly motivated by desire for mass displacement of jobs, especially when it comes to the indispensable cultural contributions of IATSE members. This is on top of a reckless disregard for environmental concerns.

The Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 strongly & unequivocally opposes this plan. You cannot have an economy without workers. You cannot have consumer demand without wages. These investments are fundamentally opposed to the notion of a country built on common prosperity.

As of this week, CAG will be joining labour leaders and social movements in urging Telus & the federal government to reconsider their priorities. Our members will be showing up in force to the protest march scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday), May 23rd @ 1PM, starting at Waterfront Station. I urge digital arts workers to join us, regardless of union membership. You can find us by the Canadian Animation Guild banner.

Also, I'm forming a CAG Data Centre Response Committee, which will be tasked with coordinating a united front of digital arts workers to join the movement against these data centres. CAG members interested in joining this effort can contact me directly at president@cag938.ca.

As this is an election year, we are encouraging our members to pay close attention to the positions of incumbents & candidates on this issue.

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 3mo ago

More ICON Workers tell us what is most exciting to them about their Tentative Agreement! ✊🔴

A photo of a person smiling at the camera with a white cat on their shoulder. The text reads:

"The industry changed after COVID. We proved that artists can not only work well, but thrive working from home. Having that privilege protected can make a world of difference, whether you've got children or pets to take care of at home, you're dealing with a medical issue, or you've simply moved farther away and the transit to work just isn't feasible anymore.

I'm so excited to have this option protected because it made a world of difference being able to stay home after my cat was diagnosed with CKD, and I know how much it matters to so many other artists at ICON. I'm not the only one who moved out of the city to somewhere a little (or a lot) cheaper after COVID. I think not having to worry that you'll suddenly be forced back to the office one day with no notice is a big weight off our shoulders, and if we DO have to come in, it's with reasonable notice and consideration to each artist’s own personal situation.

Kiera - Senior Modeler/Texture Artist - 5 years"

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 3mo ago

ICON Workers tell us what is most exciting to them about their Tentative Agreement ✊🔴

A photo of a person smiling and looking at the camera, with text that reads:

"When I got my first job in the industry at ICON, I was shocked to learn that a coworker that had arrived at the same time as me, with the same background and skillset, was being paid 25% less than I was.

With the ever rising cost of living, especially in the Vancouver area, the introduction of wage minimums for all positions and seniority level will make it easier for Juniors to set foot in this industry, and for new employees to start their climb higher on the ladder.

I’m happy to see that this will benefit more than 200 workers by July, with an additional increase in the following year!

Baptiste - Intermediate Lighting/Compositing Artist - 2 years"

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 3mo ago

CAG President Eddy and International Rep Ming had their first site visit at ICON Creative Studio in the lead-up to ICON workers' vote on their first Collective Agreement! ICON workers, learn more at iconunion.info ✊🔴

Jellybox - MEANS OF DESTRUCTION LIVE ON KICKSTARTER!@jellybox.bsky.social · 3mo ago

UMBERT ACTUALLY! EP 3!!! VFX artists are overworked and underpaid! #UmbertActually #UnionYaoi #MistermanGuyfella #Jellybox #IndieAnimation

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 3mo ago

WE HAVE A DEAL! CAG 938 and ICON Creative Studio have reached a tentative agreement for a first contract ✊🔴

A red cartoon character is smiling and running towards the camera. They are holding up some papers with the large letters "TA" on them. There is an arrow indicating to look at the next picture underneath them.

A press release page with text that reads:

The Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938, alongside ICON Creative Studio, are proud to announce that they have reached a tentative agreement on a first contract, pending a vote by workers on whether to ratify the agreement in around three weeks.

ICON workers certified their union in June 2024, and the Bargaining Committee began negotiations with the employer in early 2025. This tentative agreement covers over 800 workers, and is set for a 2-year term. Workers and stakeholders will receive further details about the tentative agreement over the next few weeks, prior to a ratification vote.

“ICON workers aren’t just world-class talent, they are a community, where supervisors look out for junior workers, and folks from a dozen countries join together in their passion for storytelling”, says Eddy Pedreira, President of CAG 938, “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished over this past year, and I look forward to a strong start to this partnership”.

“ICON’s artists have been the heart and soul of ICON’s success and amazing trajectory for over 13 years. We’re extremely excited to graduate to this next step with them together as a key component to our studio’s work on high end series and animated feature films. So much passion exists at every level, and we’re very proud to continue to build ICON with them” says Shea Wageman, President of ICON Creative Studio Inc.

The Canadian Animation Guild will be hosting meetings and information sessions to prepare ICON employees to vote on their agreement. Workers are encouraged to read the full document, as well as highlights and an FAQ, at http://iconunion.info/.

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 3mo ago

This Friday! CAG delegates have been helping plan this yearly event by The VDLC to celebrate the history of International Workers Day. Join fellow workers, community orgs, speakers, musicians + more for a night of solidarity! Rally 4 PM @ Victory Square Celebration 5 PM - 11 PM @ Russian Hall

An illustrated poster of red white and black colours. A group of people showing many walks of life and work are looking hopefully and collectively in one direction, with the Vancouver city skyline behind them. The text reads: " This is OUR CITY. Vancouver & District Labour Council - MAY DAY, International Workers Day. May 1, 2026. 4 PM Rally, Victory Square. Celebration and Community, 600 Campbell Ave, Vancouver, Russian Hall, 5 PM - 11 PM."

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 4mo ago

CAG turns 6 years old TODAY! Thank you to @iatse.bsky.social @iatsecanada.bsky.social and all of our members for making this possible! We literally would not exist without the huge amount of effort of so many people ✊🔴

A digital illustration made to look like a polaroid photo of a round, red cartoon creature who is smiling and waving at the camera. They look very small and childlike, wearing a birthday hat, giant backpack, heelies sneakers, and braces.

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 4mo ago

From your friends & coworkers at Atomic Cartoons Vancouver: Curious how a union can help protect artists with introduction of AI/Gen AI tools at Atomic? Our guest speaker, IATSE Local 938 Senior Steward Emily Gossmann is a strong voice for workers & an expert on the impact of AI in animation/VFX.

A simple colourful poster that reads "Atomic Workers: Let's have a REAL TA about A.I. - April 15, 7 PM. Online RSVP:" Under the RSVP statement is a QR code. In the centre is a cartoon image of a red ball creature using a comically large mallet to squash down on another cartoon creature.

PORK-PIE 🇵🇸🏳️‍⚧️@porkpie.ca · 4mo ago

I contributed this for #TransDayOfVisibility for the @cag938.bsky.social’s Pride Committee 🏳️‍⚧️ 🧱 www.instagram.com/cag.pride/p/...

Canadian Animation Guild - IATSE Local 938 @cag938.bsky.social · 4mo ago

CAG 938 members, let us know what's important to YOU 🫵🔴 in a health plan! forms.gle/PQVsDtwpAkrz...

A drawn picture of a blue sky with clouds in the shape of health-related things like a tooth and a pill. Text reads " IATSE Local 938 Health Plan Survey. The CAG 938 Health Plan Committee needs your help! Fill out this survey to have your say on how your Union will build a portable health plan! Open from March 3rd to April 8th. Active Union members and members in bargaining only, please." And there is a QR code to send someone to the survey link.