NEW YORK, NY (September 12, 2025)—Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures both recognized the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) for the purpose of collective bargaining for writers at their public television programs. Writers on future seasons of Alma’s Way, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Carl the Collector will now have a union.

Writers at both production companies will work under the terms reached between the Writers Guild of America East and PBS in December, 2024, the first WGA-PBS contract to include the writing done for PBS KIDS’ animated programs. The agreement covers writing work for animated programs over 5 minutes in length made for TV and new media, with writers receiving pension and health contributions on top of script fees and weekly salaries. Animation writers will also receive residuals for AVOD and SVOD reuse.

Adam Rudman, Co-Founder/Executive Producer, Spiffy Pictures, said, “Every writer on all of our series over the years has played an integral role in each show’s success, so this was a no-brainer for Spiffy. We hope it paves the way for more companies to follow.”

Jill Cozza-Turner, Head Writer for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and Jorge Aguirre, Head Writer for Alma’s Way, said, “We are extremely proud to be working with Fred Rogers Productions. They carry on the legacy of Fred by being true allies in supporting working writers. We’re grateful to partner with FRP and their mission to tell impactful stories that promote children’s curiosity and make it fun for them to learn and grow.”

Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, President of the Writers Guild of America East, said, “PBS KIDS writers have been a bedrock in educating children around the world and we are glad they can work under a Writers Guild contract that provides them with fair pay, pension and health coverage and residuals. All animation writers deserve union protections just like their colleagues in live action television.”

The Writers Guild of America East, AFL-CIO (WGAE) is a labor union representing more than 7,500 members working in film, television, news, podcasts, and online media. The Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members; conducts programs, seminars and events on issues of interest to writers; and presents writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America East, visit wgaeast.org.

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