In a history-making move, The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839 — the trade union which represents animation artists in Los Angeles — has taken extensive action against The Loud House creator Chris Savino over the allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment which lead to his dismissal from Nickelodeon. The Guild’s ruling was revealed to members at a general membership meeting, reported by Cartoon Brew.
Under the terms of an agreement reached through his legal counsel, Savino entered a guilty plea and accepted the ruling of the Trial Board. He is under a one-year suspension from The Animation Guild, effective April 7th. Savino must also complete 40 hours of community service with an organization of the charging parties’ choice, pay a $5,000 fine (donated to an organization of the charging parties choice), obtain a Certificate of Sexual Harassment training and engage in ongoing counseling. A letter will be distributed to all Guild signatory studios informing them of the ruling.
The Trial Board is comprised of six Guild executive members; the “charging parties” are Guild represented animation artists. Due to a lack of specific language about sexual harassment in the Guild’s constitution, Savino was charged with “disloyalty,” according to CB’s union member source. The plea agreement was reached on April 6, the day before the scheduled trial, so instead a hearing with the charging parties took place.
Savino has reportedly been put on suspension rather than ejected from the Guild due to a loophole in union rules which would have meant he could still work for a union studio, and the union would have to pay his dues. The Guild has formed a committee to rewrite its constitution to offer better protection against sexual harassment and misconduct in the future.
Nickelodeon continues to produce The Loud House, which was recently greenlit for a fourth season, and announced a new companion series Los Casagrandes.
