Marvel Studios visual effects workers unanimously voted in favor of unionizing with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in an election held by the National Labor Relations Board, the union announced Wednesday. This marks the first time in the industry’s half-century history that a unit of solely VFX workers has unionized with IATSE.
The workers filed for this election August 7, and votes were cast by mail between August 21 and September 11. The count was held Tuesday, September 12. When the final National Labor Relations Board election votes were counted, all votes were in favor of unionizing with IATSE, with zero against.
“It was so emotional hearing the yeses and knowing we were fighting for what we deserve,” commented Marvel assistant VFX coordinator Anna George, who watched the live count via Zoom. “What a powerful moment!”
Mark Patch, VFX Organizer for IATSE, said, “Today, VFX workers at Marvel Studios spoke with a unanimous, collective voice, demanding fair pay for the hours they work, healthcare, a safe and sustainable working environment and respect for the work they do. There could be no stronger statement highlighting the overwhelming need for us to continue our work and bring union protections and standards to all VFX workers across the industry. And there could be no stronger example of the courage and solidarity of these workers than each and every one of them declaring ‘union YES!’”
While positions like production designers/art directors, camera operators, sound, editors, hair & makeup artists, costumes/wardrobe, script supervisors, grips, lighting, props, paint and others have historically been represented by IATSE in movies and TV, VFX workers historically have not. While this unit only includes Marvel’s in-house VFX team for now, VFX staffers at sibling studio Walt Disney Pictures have already begun voting in their NLRB election, with the results expected on October 2.
“I grew up dreaming of working on Marvel films, so when I started my first job at Marvel, I felt like I couldn’t complain about the unpaid overtime, the lack of meal breaks, and the incredible pressure put on VFX teams to meet deadlines because I was just supposed to be grateful to be here at all,” said VFX coordinator Sarah Kazuko Chow. “But the reality is that every worker deserves rights, and joining IATSE means we don’t have to choose between the job we love and having identities outside of our work.”
IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb explained, “Today’s count demonstrates the unprecedented demand for unionization across new sectors of the entertainment industry is very real. To these VFX workers, I congratulate you on your historic victory. Your bravery, determination, and unity are a beacon for workers not just in VFX, not just in entertainment, but workers in every industry across this country and beyond. You will enter negotiations with Marvel and Disney with the full backing and support of our 170,000 strong alliance. Your fight is our fight.”
The next step for the Marvel VFX union is to engage in collective bargaining negotiations with the employer to draft a contract addressing the needs of the represented workers. Union contracts, also known as collective bargaining agreements (CBA’s), generally outline terms and conditions of employment, including wages, hours and working conditions. Both the union and the employer are obligated to negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement on these terms. As of this writing, no negotiation dates have yet been scheduled.
Anticipating a wave of organization in the industry, IATSE invites interested client-side and vendor-side VFX workers to reach out through VFXunion.org.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE (full name: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada), is a labor union representing over 170,000 technicians, artisans and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast and trade shows in the United States and Canada.
IATSE also encompasses The Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839), which represents animation artists and production workers.
