Dwayne Louis Mays
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Labor Relations Interview
Written Assignment #1
9/20/2011
Dwayne Louis Mays
Today I took the time to speak with Mr. Brandon Williams, a 28 year old Human Resources Generalist with Cartoon Network (Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.) As a Generalist, Brandon is responsible for handling escalated employee programs, issues, development, succession and other ad hoc projects as assigned. He manages an HR Coordinator who is responsible for the day to day functions and paperwork of all Union activities. Yearly projects include Merit Increases and bonuses for employee; Performance Reviews and development; Succession Planning/People Planning. Since joining Turner in 2005 he has supported various client groups in Atlanta and Burbank from both a generalist and specialist capacity. He has conducted numerous trainings for clients across the company ranging from Discipline and Discharge to Change Management. In the community, Brandon is on the Board of Directors of STELR Homes for Boys, Inc. in California. His professional association involvement includes CTHRA (Cable and Telecommunications Human Resources Association) and NAMIC (National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communication). Brandon received his Bachelor degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta and currently completing his last year of MBA at the University of Redlands in California. Brandon also has a certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR). Cartoon Network Studios is an American animation studio and a subsidiary of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Cartoon Network Studios focuses on producing and developing animated programs for Cartoon Network. Cartoon Network was formed in 2000 from the -Hanna Barbera Studios. Along with Cartoon Network Studios starting in 2000 it acquired two sets of union employees. One of the Unions is the Animation Guild Local 839 IATSE (formerly Motion Picture Screen Cartoonists).
The Local 839 is the labor union for creative artists, writers and technicians in motion-picture and television animation and computer graphics in southern California. The other union at Cartoon Network is the Motion Picture Editors Guild (Local 700 IATSE) and represents freelance and staff motion picture film and television editors and other post-production professionals and story analysts in the U.S. They are closed shop for Animators and Editors. Those who area in animation can begin working at Cartoon Network Studios and then join the Union. Editors must be a member of of the Local 700 union prior to Cartoon Network Studios utilizing their services.
I spoke with Brandon about the atmosphere at Cartoon Network Studios and he believes it to be a colorful and fun atmosphere, which allows for creativity among its employees.
There are lounge areas, gaming areas and even free drinks and snacks. These are the results of the requests all put in from the employees, to the union to make their work environment more harmonious. The Union employees are managed according to their individual contracts. At Cartoon Network Studios there are more union employees than corporate employees. There are numerous events that include both union and corporate employees. The atmosphere is good and all employees work alongside one another in a positive manner. Some of the Union employees at Cartoon Network Studios have been employed there since 2000 and are happy with the environment and perks that the company offers. When asked about the preferences of the majority of their employees, Brandon believes that the Union offers a sense of security and assurance for the employees. Employees appreciate having an organization to go to and know that they will fight for them and have their best interest in mind.
The employees feel like they are part of a society. Brandon does believe that one area that employees may not prefer is the dues that are associated with being a union member. I went on to ask about the challenges that union (non-union) environments face and they were described to be challenges at times when it comes to employees feeling under paid. Unions assist with that. Also, some non-union environments do not have access to view their pay scales but union shops make that information public