The argument has always been that if VFX facilities had margins like DreamWorks, many of the bad conditions would go away. This is why some advocate that facilities join a trade organization instead of the workers joining a union. I’m an advocate for both and this recent event at DreamWorks is exactly why I argue that the Hollywood industry is so heavily unionized:

Even with huge margins, great conditions, and their own IP, studios will gaps in between projects leading to layoffs.

Luckily for the unionized artists laid off at DreamWorks LA, many of them will be able to keep their health insurance for their families for up to 12-18 months. Unless there is a special provision for the non-unionized artists of DreamWorks PDI, they will lose their health insurance in the first month they are laid off.