A group of U.S. visual effects workers engaged directly by “Star Wars” franchise productions has joined the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees for collective bargaining purposes. The new bargaining unit includes U.S. workers who contribute to titles including, but not limited to “TheMandalorian & Grogu,” “Ahsoka” and “Starfighter.” Popular on VarietyVisual effects workers have long been essential to modern film and television production, helping create the worlds, characters, and experiences that audiences see on screen. 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. VFX workers at Apple Studios also voted 12-0 to organize with IATSE, and workers at DNEG, a major Canadian VFX firm, also unionized in 2023 and 2024.