On-Set Visual Effects Workers on ‘Star Wars’ Productions Join IATSE

Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett A group of U.S. visual effects workers engaged directly by “Star Wars” franchise productions has joined the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees for collective bargaining purposes. The new bargaining unit includes U.S. workers who contribute to titles including, but not limited to “TheMandalorian & Grogu,” “Ahsoka” and “Starfighter.” The unit, which overwhelmingly supported joining the union, will now begin good-faith negotiations with the employer for its first contract. IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb said, “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.” Loeb added, “We are proud to welcome these visual effects professionals into our proud union.” Popular on Variety 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. Last year, visual effects workers on “Avatar,” as well those who work at Marvel and Disney, ratified their first labor contract, in a significant step for the VFX industry. The contracts included standard union protections like overtime pay, eligibility for the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plan, meal penalties, rest periods and turnaround times. The Disney/Marvel contract also included raises of 4% in the first year and 3.5% in the second year, matching the raises negotiated by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.VFX workers at Apple Studios also voted 12-0 to organize with IATSE, and workers at DNEG, a major Canadian VFX firm, also unionized in 2023 and 2024. More from Variety