Marvel Studios Workers Voted Yes To Unionize

It's official: all fifty-plus in-house visual effects artists working for Marvel Studios have given an unequivocal "yes" vote in favor of unionization.

The petition for an election to be represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) was submitted by a group of on-set employees, according to a report that surfaced the previous month. The petition was submitted to the National Labor Relations Board. This decision was made after numerous reports surfaced about Marvel Studios putting undue pressure on visual effects crews to meet unreasonable deadlines.

IATSE organizer Mark Patch says "the aim would be to have members of such a local work under the Basic Agreement contract already used by entertainment workers in 13 locals including the International Cinematographers Guild (Local 600), Motion Picture Editors Guild (Local 700) and Art Directors Guild (Local 800). The current Basic Agreement expires in 2024 and negotiations for a new contract are expected to begin next March."

“We are witnessing an unprecedented wave of solidarity that’s breaking down old barriers in the industry and proving we’re all in this fight together,” said IATSE International president Matthew D. Loeb in a previous statement. “That doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Entertainment workers everywhere are sticking up for each other’s rights; that’s what our movement is all about. I congratulate these workers on taking this important step and using their collective voice. I urge Marvel Studios to voluntarily recognize their union immediately.”