Texas

Animation workers at Powerhouse Animation Studios in Texas overwhelmingly voted to ratify their first union contract, with 96% of members voting to approve the agreement. Details of the contract were not immediately available. The more than 100 workers produce games like Castlevania and include both production workers and artists at the studio, folding in roles such as animator, background designer and production assistant.

Workers at animal shelter Austin Pets Alive voted to unionize after almost a year of organizing. The union, an affiliate of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) will represent nearly 200 employees, making it the largest animal shelter union in the country. The workers are fighting to secure a contract with better pay and benefits, more work-life balance and newer equipment for the animals. Better staffing policies, the union said, will ultimately improve the lives of the animals at the shelter.