Marvel VFX Artists Vote to Unionize

variety.com:

Angelique Jackson Visual effects (VFX) crews at Marvel Studios have voted to unionize, IATSE announced on Monday. A press release notes that “A supermajority of Marvel’s more than 50-worker crew had signed authorization cards indicating they wished to be represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).” “For almost half a century, workers in the visual effects industry have been denied the same protections and benefits their coworkers and crewmates have relied upon since the beginning of the Hollywood film industry,” said Mark Patch, VFX organizer for IATSE, in a statement announcing the filing. “This is a historic first step for VFX workers coming together with a collective voice demanding respect for the work we do.” The unionization effort marks the first time VFX professionals have banded together in such a fashion, as this segment of the industry has largely remained non-union.

IATSE represents more than 168,000 technicians, artisans and craftspersons working in movies and TV, but while “positions like production designers/art directors, camera operators, sound, editors, hair and makeup artists, costumes/wardrobe, script supervisors, grips, lighting, props and paint, among others, have historically been represented by IATSE,” the release explains, “workers in VFX classifications historically have not.” Added VFX coordinator Bella Huffman: “Turnaround times don’t apply to us, protected hours don’t apply to us, and pay equity doesn’t apply to us.