|
|
|
IMAGINACTION
- Cartoonists bash Globalization
Mark Vallen, April 1999
|
|
One
of the most imaginative demonstrations to have occurred
in Los Angeles was initiated by the Motion
Picture Screen Cartoonists, Local
839 IATSE on April 13th, 1999. The union representing
2,100 cartoonists and animators in the United States held
an informational picket line in front of the Hollywood studios
of the Public Broadcasting System (PBS). The 200 or so artists
who walked the picket line carried wonderfully creative
and humorous protest signs... some of which are presented
on this page. Though on the face of it the placards were
extremely funny, they also bore a serious message. American
animators are being victimized by capitalist globalization
just like other workers... and they're fighting mad about
it.
|
|
In
1998 PBS (which is funded through U.S. tax dollars by the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting and "Viewers like you"),
contracted NELVANA, a Canadian
animation company, to produce all of the animation
to appear on PBS. NELVANA in turn has laid off it's Canadian
work force and has set up shop in China.
Bids
from U.S. animation companies were apparently not
even considered by PBS, who prefer instead to send the work
outside
of the country where lower paid, non-Union Workers
can be exploited.
|
|
|
|
The
cartoonist's union thinks it's outrageous that U.S. tax
dollars are being used to export U.S. jobs to other
countries. The President of the cartoonist's union, Tom
Sito, put it this way... "Why should I countenance my tax
dollars and donations being used to undermine my job security?"
Why indeed... and why should ANY American sit complacently
and allow corporate power to "downsize" us ALL out of a
job.... because that's exactly what's been happening.
Gone are the days of "job security" and "retirement benefits".
Today's corporations recognize no national borders and owe
allegiance to no one... say hello to NAFTA, the WTO, and
the FTAA. But as the artists of the cartoonist union so
aptly demonstrated... we don't have to take this laying
down, we can organized and push back.
|
|
Hollywood
has long been the creative engine when it comes to animation.
Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Fred Flintstone, Woody Woodpecker,
the Pink Panther, and many other stellar names are virtually
synonymous with Hollywood... and all of these characters
have been brought to us by the artists of the Motion
Picture Screen Cartoonists Union. For all of their
hard work and contributions to the art of animation... these
art workers are thanked by having their jobs exported
to South Korea, China, Mexico, and Canada. The poor workers
of those countries should not be faulted because they need
to work like anyone else. It's the greed of the companies
that presents the problem. The American labor movement should
work with the workers of other countries to assure that
all workers recieve decent pay.
|
|
|
|
The
cartoonist's union informational picket line in front of
PBS headquarters was an enormous success. It received quite
a bit of press coverage and lots of support from the thousands
of motorists that passed it. The action also served as an
excellent example of how art can play a role in protest
and social change. Instead of a boring picket line with
dull placards... the cartoonist's union made the demonstration
a colorful and humorous celebration that appealed to the
public's sense of justice and fair play. I wish that I could
show you more of the delightful placards carried at the
demonstration. Some of my favorites featured Sesame Street
being devastated by a nuclear blast, The PBS logo with the
slogan Infinitely More Jobs Lost, and Disney's Mickey
Mouse holding a tin cup and saying...
"Will Draw for Food."
|
|
The
combative example of the Motion Picture
Screen Cartoonists, Local
839 IATSE should inspire all working people. Don't
be passive about cut backs, take aways, and downsizing...
be creative... organize, and fight for your rights!
You can learn more about the cartoonist's union and their
struggle to keep U.S. animation jobs at home by visiting
their Website at: www.mpsc839.org
|
|
|
