Following an extended effort for enhanced working conditions, visual effects (VFX) artists at Marvel and Disney have officially ratified their inaugural union contract.

The newly sanctioned agreement provides VFX employees with various labor protections commonly associated with union representation. These encompass overtime compensation, eligibility for pension plans, designated rest periods, and assured minimum wage rises.

The contract, brokered under the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), further facilitates wage hikes—4 percent in the first year and 3.5 percent in the second—according to reports from Variety. Simultaneously, VFX artists participating in the Avatar franchise have attained a distinct agreement under comparable terms.

IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb lauded the workers’ achievements in a public statement: “I want to commend the members of these VFX bargaining units for negotiating equitable contracts that garnered such robust support. From the inception of this process to today, the leadership and resolve exhibited by these members has been an inspiration.”

The unionization drive gained traction in recent years following extensive accounts of exhausting hours and demanding production timelines in the VFX sector. Employees at Marvel and Disney were among those who opted to organize in reaction to these circumstances.

“This is not simply a win for Marvel/Disney, but a vital triumph for the entire VFX sector,” remarked Cael Liakos-Gilbert, a VFX data wrangler at Marvel. “We’ve demonstrated what is achievable through resolve and determination, and we are no longer obliged to exist in speculation, skepticism, or uncertainty.”