A group of US visual effects workers directly employed on "Star Wars" franchise productions has voted to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) for collective bargaining purposes. The new bargaining unit, which overwhelmingly backed unionisation, covers on-set VFX staff working on titles such as "The Mandalorian & Grogu", "Ahsoka" and "Starfighter", and will now enter negotiations with the employer for a first contract. The move continues a broader trend of VFX professionals seeking union protections as their role in modern film and television production grows.

IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb welcomed the workers, saying they "deserve a meaningful voice in shaping their working conditions." It follows similar organising efforts across the industry: VFX workers on "Avatar" and at Marvel and Disney ratified their first labour contracts last year, securing overtime pay, pension and health plan eligibility, meal penalties and rest periods, alongside pay rises of 4% and 3.5% over two years. Apple Studios VFX staff voted 12-0 to unionise with IATSE, while workers at Canadian VFX firm DNEG organised in 2023 and 2024.