Walt Disney Pictures VFX Workers File for Historic Unionization Election with Labor Board

Visual Effects (VFX) crews at Walt Disney Pictures have filed with for an election to unionize with the backing of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) This marks only the second time in history VFX professionals have joined together to demand the same rights and protections as their unionized colleagues throughout the film industry, with the other being Marvel VFX workers’ similar filing just last month.

The unionizing VFX workers are responsible for creating the VFX across DIsney’s impressive catalogue, including modern classics such as the live-action adaptations of ‘Lion King’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘Aladdin’, and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, among others. The historic move follows a supermajority (over 80%) of in-house VFX crewmembers at Walt Disney Pictures signing authorization cards signaling their desire to unionize.

In the words of IATSE VFX Organizer Mark Patch: "Today, courageous Visual Effects workers at Walt Disney Pictures overcame the fear and silence that have kept our community from having a voice on the job for decades. With an overwhelming supermajority of these crews demanding an end to 'the way VFX has always been,' this is a clear sign that our campaign is not about one studio or corporation. It’s about VFX workers across the industry using the tools at our disposal to uplift ourselves and forge a better path forward." Read more here.