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Apple Studios visual effects workers have secured their first IATSE contract. The members won new standards for wages, health care, retirement benefits, working hours, artificial intelligence and workplace safety.
The
contract establishes minimum rates for every covered title. Annual minimum rate increases will match those negotiated in the IATSE-AMPTP Basic Agreement. In addition, workers also secured minimum-hour guarantees, pay for all hours worked, and overtime protections including holidays and sixth and seventh workdays.
The agreement provides employer-paid Motion Picture Industry health care, pension benefits, and a defined contribution retirement savings plan. Employer contributions to the health and retirement plans are effective for all hours worked since Jan. 1.
The contract incorporates artificial intelligence protections from the IATSE-AMPTP Basic Agreement. It also establishes daily and weekly turnaround and rest protections matching those provided to editorial crews, meal penalties when lunch breaks are violated, and additional pay for hazardous conditions on set.
IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb said, “For too long, visual effects workers have powered some the industry’s biggest productions without the union protections afforded to many of their colleagues. It is long past time to fix that. By standing together, Apple Studios VFX workers have secured a strong first contract with enforceable standards, quality benefits, meaningful rest, and protections as new technology changes the industry.”
Visual effects workers have long been essential to modern film and television production, helping create the worlds, characters, and experiences that audiences see on screen. This development also signals the ongoing momentum of VFX professionals organizing for fair wages, sustainable benefits, safer working conditions, and a meaningful voice at work.
Last year, visual effects workers on “Avatar,” as well those who work at Marvel and Disney, ratified their first labor contract, in a significant step for the VFX industry. The contracts included standard union protections like overtime pay, eligibility for the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plan, meal penalties, rest periods and turnaround times. The Disney/Marvel contract also included raises of 4% in the first year and 3.5% in the second year, matching the raises negotiated by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
