A group of U.S. VFX workers engaged directly by Lucasfilm’s franchise productions has joined the union and will begin negotiations for a first contract.
A group of U.S. visual effects workers engaged directly by Lucasfilm’s Star Wars franchise productions, including titles such as The Mandalorian & Grogu, Ahsoka and Starfighter, has joined IATSE for collective bargaining purposes.
The new bargaining unit, which overwhelmingly supported joining the union, will now begin good-faith negotiations with the employer for its first contract.
“These workers help bring some of the most ambitious stories in entertainment to life, and they deserve a meaningful voice in shaping their working conditions,” IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb said. “We are proud to welcome these visual effects professionals into our proud Union.”
The union notes that visual effects workers have long been essential to modern film and television production, helping create the worlds, characters and experiences that audiences see on screen; as the industry continues to evolve, workers across visual effects are increasingly seeking the protections, benefits and collective bargaining rights that come with union representation.
IATSE said the workers joining the union to advocate for industry-standard wages, benefits and working conditions sends a message about the power of solidarity. Visual effects workers interested in learning more about organizing a union at their workplace can visit vfxunion.org.
The labor union International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, or IATSE, represents more than 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.
Source: IATSE
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
