Workers at Vancouver’s ICON Creative Studio are looking to secure union representation with the Canadian Animation Guild (CAG) IATSE Local 938 and join existing members from WildBrain, Titmouse and Kickstart Entertainment.

IATSE noted that “hundreds” of ICON employees signed support cards last week, and their key issues include pay transparency, layoff protections, safeguarding against AI/outsourcing and more support in immigration processes (since international visa workers make up a significant portion of the city’s bustling animation industry). At least 55% of employees must sign a card for the union to secure the BC Labour Board’s certification. 

According to ICON’s website, it’s the “largest independently owned CG animation studio” in Canada. The company employs more than 850 workers and has done animation service work on toons such as Young Jedi Adventures (Disney+), Transformers Earthspark (Paramount+) and Ariel (pictured), which is set to launch on Disney Junior in June 2024. Its original IPs include family movie Rocket Club: Across the Cosmos (which hit theaters in Canada last month) and upcoming feature Charlie the Wonderdog.

Back in September, IATSE international representative William Gladman told Kidscreen that a strike-fueled 2023 in the US was helping to drive similar momentum and awareness among animation workers north of the border.