Star Wars Visual Effects Workers Join IATSE Union

A collective bargaining unit of U.S. visual effects artists employed directly on Star Wars franchise productions—including titles such as The Mandalorian, Ahsoka and Starfighter—has officially joined the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). The unit voted overwhelmingly in favor of union affiliation and will now begin good‑faith negotiations with the employer for its first contract, seeking industry‑standard wages, benefits and working conditions.

IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb said the workers “deserve a meaningful voice in shaping their working conditions” and praised the new members. The move follows recent unionization milestones in the VFX sector, such as contracts for workers on Avatar, Disney/Marvel projects, Apple Studios and the Canadian firm DNEG, indicating a broader push for collective bargaining in visual effects.