The team at 2K Games’ motion-capture studio in California has taken a significant step by deciding to form a union. According to a post on the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) website, 15 employees voted in favor of unionizing, with six opposing, on Friday, November 22nd. The election was overseen by the National Labor Relations Board to ensure everything was above board.
“Today, it’s clear that the individuals at this studio are not only looking out for themselves but also have their coworkers, future workers, and the studio’s best interests at heart,” shared Matthew Peterson, a mocap animator at 2K.
“Although this campaign faced its share of obstacles, it’s uplifting to see that the main engine behind this movement is genuine concern for one another,” he added. “I’m eager to start negotiating earnestly with Take-Two and hope our efforts inspire other industry workers to organize and secure the protections needed not merely to survive but to truly succeed.”
Adding to this, IATSE International President Matthew Loeb remarked, “This achievement isn’t just about a single studio; it represents the future landscape of employment within the video game sector. The 2K MoCap workers have illustrated, just as many entertainment workers already understand, that collective efforts are essential for ensuring workplace fairness, equity, and respect. Their bravery will surely motivate others in the industry to take similar steps. This result showcases the power of workers banding together, a right we remain committed to defending and expanding.”
It was only in October that 2K’s California mocap studio initiated its move to unionize.
