Update (November 27): 2K Games has acknowledged the recent developments regarding the election, expressing respect for the decision made by their California-based mocap team.
In a statement released by the company, they shared, “On November 22, 2024, employees at the 2K Petaluma Mocap Studio had the opportunity to participate in a secret ballot election, overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), to decide on unionizing with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).”
“The ballots have now been counted, and it appears that the majority of those who voted have chosen to unionize under IATSE,” the statement continued. “We honor the choice made by our team and appreciate all employees who took part in the election. As we move forward, our focus remains on delivering top-notch, captivating, and immersive experiences for players globally.”
Original story (November 25): Employees at 2K Games’ motion-capture studio in California have opted to form a union.
According to the IATSE’s website, the union reported that on Friday, November 22nd, 15 staff members voted in favor of the move, while six were against it. The election was closely monitored by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Reflecting on the outcome, 2K mocap animator Matthew Peterson shared, “It’s clear today that employees here are driven by what benefits not just themselves, but their colleagues, future workers, and the studio overall.”
“While this effort faced its fair share of challenges, it’s heartening to see empathy as the primary motivator of our movement,” he added. “I’m eager to engage in productive negotiations with Take-Two and hope other industry workers are inspired to organize, securing the protections needed to not just survive, but thrive.”
Matthew Loeb, IATSE’s International president, also commented on the occasion: “This victory isn’t confined to just one studio; it represents a shift in the video game industry’s workplace dynamics. The actions of the 2K MoCap team highlight what many in entertainment already believe — that collective effort is key to achieving fair treatment and respect at work. Their bravery will undoubtedly inspire others in our industry to take similar steps. This result underscores the power of workers uniting, and we will persist in advocating for these rights.”
Back in October, 2K’s California mocap studio submitted their initial request to unionize.
