Workers at Swaybox Studios, the New Orleans-based animation studio behind the upcoming Warner Bros./DC film Dynamic Duo, have voted to unionise with IATSE. The result, confirmed on Tuesday, is significant because it marks one of the largest organising drives in film and television production undertaken by IATSE in recent years, covering a $90 million project set in the Batman universe and directed under Matt Reeves's production banner.

Of the eligible workforce, 84 voted in favour of joining the union against 35 opposed, meaning around 137 staff, including animators, digital puppetry artists and CG modellers, are set to join IATSE pending any valid challenges. Organisers, including Local 478's Simonette Berry, said workers sought a stronger voice at work, union-standard pay and benefits, and improved working conditions as the studio scaled rapidly from small projects, such as an NFL advert, to a big-budget feature. IATSE has urged Swaybox and Warner Bros. to negotiate a contract swiftly, while the studio and Warner Bros. Pictures Animation have yet to respond to requests for comment.