The visual effects artists of Marvel Studios assembled Wednesday (September 13) after they unanimously voted in favor of forming a union with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
IATSE international president Matthew D. Loeb said in a statement following the news that the "unprecedented demand" for unionization in digital Hollywood industries came at a critical moment for the labor movement.
BREAKING: Marvel Studios’ Visual Effects (VFX) Workers UNANIMOUSLY voted in favor of unionizing with IATSE in a labor board election.
— IATSE // #IASolidarity (@IATSE) September 13, 2023
This marks the first time a unit of solely VFX Workers has unionized with IATSE since VFX was pioneered nearly a half-century ago. pic.twitter.com/gqMx2dIQj3
Not only was the unanimous approval of all Marvel VFX artists unprecedented, but the vote to unionize was also unprecedented as it was the first time ever that a unit of "solely VFX workers" had successfully unionized with IATSE, the union network said.
"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," Loeb said to Marvel's VFX artists. "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."
An 'Avengers' Moment for Marvel's VFX Artists
According to Gizmodo, there were multiple factors that prevented a VFX studio from attempting unionization, including short-term contracts, an oversaturated market for work, and the unspoken threat of blackballing.
Sarah Kazuko Chow, a VFX coordinator at Marvel, described some of the conditions that make working in the VFX industry extremely difficult in general, saying it was difficult working for such a demanding line of work.
"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," she added.
Marvel workers have also shared with IATSE what was at stake with their vote to unionize. Anna George, an assistant VFX coordinator at Marvel, said the vote to unionize was "emotional" and the overwhelming support for it a "powerful moment."
"This is historic and I'm glad to be part of it," Marvel VFX coordinator Thomas Barnard added. "Not only will this radically change the game by increasing the quality of storytelling through our work, but it's also a huge step forward for taking care of the unsung individuals who helped to build the industry."
Marvel's VFX artists are now assembling to engage in "collective bargaining negotiations" with Marvel and Disney, a fight that observers think could be as superheroic as the Avengers themselves in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Meanwhile, IATSE has yet to provide a schedule and date for the negotiations.
