Ben Speight

Organizer at The Animation Guild, IATSE VFX and Game industry lead

[IATSE // #IASolidarity @IATSE]

Won't be there? We just launched a new survey to track the rates and working conditions of motion capture workers here: https://t.co/Bd7DRkinw7

[IATSE // #IASolidarity @IATSE]

Building on this momentum, IATSE representatives are present this week at the Game Developers Conference in SF.

On Thursday 3/12/26, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. We will host an event in Room 203 in the South Hall to discuss the contract gains (all game workers invited).

[IATSE // #IASolidarity @IATSE]

BREAKING: Workers at 2K’s motion capture studio in Petaluma, CA have reached and unanimously ratified their first union contract with Take-Two Interactive management

They are now the first motion capture video game workers in the United States with a union contract.

The new agreement secures key workplace gains, including wage floor minimums and yearly wage increases, yearly bonuses, protected benefits, an enforceable promotions framework, specialty pay improvements, staffing and subcontracting protections, preserved work from home policies, locked in leave allowances, stronger crediting practices, and protections related to scanned likeness and artificial intelligence.

The Petaluma studio plays an important role in motion capture production for major 2K and Take-Two titles, and the workers’ successful contract campaign adds to growing momentum for unionization across the video game industry.

IATSE announced the group’s union win in November 2024 after a National Labor Relations Board-supervised election.

[The Hollywood Reporter @THR]

Remote DreamWorks Staffers Attempt to Unionize With Animation Guild https://t.co/gunNWnVVBa

[King Cabbage @kingofcabbages]

My heart is full! Love that Spindle voluntarily recognized us. LET'S GOOOOOO!

[The Animation Guild // #WeAre839 @animationguild]

BIG WEEK at TAG! SpindleHorse artists were VOLUNTARILY recognized by the studio!
Prod workers at #Netflix & on Ted Show have requested voluntary recognition!
This is what solidarity looks like! Congrats! 🎉
Share, repost & spread the word – keep the momentum going! #UnionStrong

[IATSE // #IASolidarity @IATSE]

🚨 BREAKING: Saturday Night Live VFX Workers have just unanimously ratified their first union contract!

The first-ever agreement brings significant improvements, including:

- Established minimum wage scales
- Secured ongoing healthcare benefits
- Annuity contributions
- “Kill fees” for artists hired for projects canceled before completion
- A robust grievance process
- Critical AI and outsourcing protections

VFX workers have made significant strides towards unionization with IATSE in recent months, including successfully winning first contracts at Marvel, Disney and Avatar. As the campaign to ensure VFX workers have access to the same rights and protections as other workers in the film and television industry, those interested in joining the movement should visit https://t.co/VUjuAdrUEa for more information and to get in touch with IATSE organizers.

Full story: https://t.co/8WkF8NfN2D

[The Animation Guild // #WeAre839 @animationguild]

TAG members at Whiteboard Geeks leafletted @AstraZeneca, a major client, urging them to call upon the owner of Whiteboard Geeks to bargain in good faith. These workers organized with TAG and @MPEG700 in 2023 and are still waiting for a first contract.

[Ben Speight @ben_sp8]

LOS ANGELES, CA —Visual Effects (VFX) workers for Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Pictures, and movie franchise Avatar have voted overwhelmingly to approve their fi…

⁦@IATSE⁩
https://t.co/MzxTIr61sj

[The Animation Guild // #WeAre839 @animationguild]

Animation workers at Whiteboard Geeks are on a ULP strike today, standing up against the company’s refusal to bargain in good faith.

📍 Chesterfield, VA — If you’re nearby, stop by and show your support!

Repost to back these brave workers. Solidarity! #UnionStrong #ULPStrike

[IATSE // #IASolidarity @IATSE]

For 18 months, union animation workers at Whiteboard Geeks have pushed for a fair contract. But owner Lance Johnson has refused to take these talks seriously or bargain in good faith.

Today, they're on a ULP strike to demand respect and rights. 💪📢

Show your support—send a letter now: https://t.co/qtdoy1s23H

[Ben Speight @ben_sp8]

@NBA2K Motion Capture workers talk why they organized their union with @IATSE https://t.co/pLPB76sPL1 via @YouTube

[IATSE // #IASolidarity @IATSE]

The time is NOW to grow our @vfxunion! Ready to transform your workplace as a visual effects worker?

Here are some steps you can take to form a union with your coworkers today:

[The Animation Guild // #WeAre839 @animationguild]

Animation workers at the independent White Board Geeks studio outside Richmond, VA, voted to form a union more than a year ago. Yesterday they rallied to oppose wage cuts & demand a fair contract! Thanks @Virginia_AFLCIO for your solidarity & participation. #StandWithAnimation

[Amazon Teamsters @amazonteamsters]

Amazon drivers at DGT8 in Atlanta are now Amazon Teamsters! We marched on the boss today to demand that #AmazonHaveASeat and negotiate a Teamsters contract that guarentees the pay, safety, and repect we deserve. Stay tuned for more video from this historic day!

[More Perfect Union @MorePerfectUS]

Motion-capture workers at the company behind NBA 2K have unionized with @IATSE.

This is the first successful union push at a motion capture studio in the video game industry.

The new union includes stage technicians, engineers, animators, and recording and audio specialists.

[IATSE // #IASolidarity @IATSE]

🚨 BREAKING: Workers at 2K’s Motion Capture Studio in Petaluma voted to unionize with IATSE, 15-6 (71%)

This marks the first successful unionization effort at a motion capture studio in the video game industry’s history.

[Ben Speight @ben_sp8]

I just signed a @theactionnet petition: Give Animation Guild members a fair contract!. Sign here: https://t.co/jRlCFCNxew

[IATSE // #IASolidarity @IATSE]

🚨 BREAKING: Saturday Night Live Visual Effects Workers Unionize, Winning Voluntary Recognition with Unanimous Support

While known for its live television segments, SNL employs 16 VFX Artists and Leads who help make the program's pre-recorded digital shorts pop. #VFXUnion

[The Animation Guild // #WeAre839 @animationguild]

Hundreds of #Animation Guild members just delivered a petition to #Netflix executives to show how serious they are about reaching a fair deal in #Union negotiations with the #AMPTP! #StandWithAnimation