Vallejo paints workers are on strike for fair wages and safety; here’s what they are asking for from both Vallejo and the miniatures community to support them.
Vallejo Acrylics, the company behind the pigments that breathe life into armies, heroes, and fantasy worlds, is facing a crisis—but not one involving color charts or primers. The real drama is unfolding far from the game stores and hobby tables, its happening in the factory where these paints are born.
Workers have traded in mixing palettes for picket signs, launching a strike that’s sending ripples through the miniature painting and gaming communities alike. Vallejo paints were already hard to get here in the States before and after the Pandemic, with many sellers opting to liquidate the line as they proved problematic to restock.
Vallejo Workers Strike: The Paint Crisis Shaking Up Miniature Gaming
In the picturesque town of Vilanova I la Geltrú, nestled along the Spanish coast, something serious is brewing—and it’s not just the latest paint formulas from Vallejo Acrylics. Workers at the renowned paint manufacturer have walked off the job, demanding better wages, safer working conditions, and an end to workplace harassment. This strike could ripple far beyond factory walls, directly impacting the miniature painting and tabletop gaming communities that have come to rely on Vallejo’s acrylic paints.
Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and how this paints (pun fully intended) a broader picture of labor dynamics and hobbyist communities.
What’s the Deal with Vallejo Paints’ Factory Conditions?
The Vallejo Acrylics paint plant, a key player in the miniature painting scene, is facing a storm of criticism from its own employees. The facility reportedly suffers from outdated machinery, poorly maintained infrastructure, and an alarming lack of health and safety protocols. Workers are citing “major deficiencies” that make their jobs not just uncomfortable, but downright unsafe. And if that weren’t enough, there’s also the glaring absence of a workplace harassment protocol, leaving employees vulnerable in an already strained environment.
For a company with a workforce of just 74 employees but a global reach spanning over 70 countries, these grievances aren’t just about internal operations—they’re a call to action for fair treatment in a billion-dollar hobbyist industry.
Miniature Painting Fans Speak Up
Vallejo is more than just a paint manufacturer; it’s a cornerstone of the global miniature painting community. From Warhammer armies to intricate dioramas, the company’s products bring life to countless creative visions. Naturally, fans are taking notice—and sides.
In Spain, wargaming and miniature painting communities have rallied behind the striking workers. Some are even calling for a boycott of Vallejo products (like the recent Games Workshop one) to pressure management into negotiations. International hobbyists, too, are expressing solidarity, highlighting the importance of ethical production practices in a community often grounded in camaraderie and shared passions.
Why This Matters to Gamers and Painters
So, what does this mean for your lovingly hand-painted Space Marines or that unpainted pile of miniatures gathering dust on your shelf?
The potential disruption in Vallejo’s supply chain could have significant consequences for hobbyists. If the strike drags on, gamers and painters might start to see shortages of popular colors, delays in restocking, or even price hikes.
Beyond the practical implications, the strike raises ethical questions for hobbyists: Should you support a company under fire for its labor practices? Or stand in solidarity with the workers demanding fair treatment?
The Worker’s Perspective: A Fight for Fairness
The demands of Vallejo’s workers are straightforward and resonant:
- Improved Safety and Hygiene: Outdated machines and poor maintenance create hazards that endanger lives.
- Wage Equality: A 15% pay raise to reflect the company’s growing profits, bridging the gap between workers and management.
- Anti-Harassment Protocols: Safeguards to ensure a respectful, inclusive workplace.
These demands aren’t extravagant—they’re fundamental. Yet, Vallejo’s management has reportedly refused to come to the negotiating table, sparking frustration and escalating tensions.
Community Reactions: Art Meets Activism
The miniature painting world is as colorful as the paints Vallejo produces, but it’s also a tight-knit group. Many in the community see the strike as more than just a labor dispute; it’s a chance to reexamine how the products they use are made.
Discussions are lighting up forums, social media, and hobby groups. Some painters are sharing alternative paint brands, while others are pledging to hold off on new Vallejo purchases until the company addresses the workers’ demands. The movement has even inspired a handful of artists to use their creations to raise awareness, painting models in themes of solidarity and worker rights.
What’s Next for Vallejo and their Paint Sets?
The strike’s outcome is still uncertain, but one thing is clear: Vallejo’s reputation is at stake. The company has built its brand on quality and reliability, but ignoring worker demands could alienate its core audience. On the flip side, taking meaningful action to address these grievances could position Vallejo as a leader not just in paint but in ethical business practices.
For hobbyists, this moment is a reminder that the tools of their trade—brushes, paints, and primers—don’t appear out of thin air. They’re the product of labor, and that labor deserves recognition and respect.
Final Thoughts on the Vallejo Strike
Whether you’re layering gradients for your next showcase piece or just trying to get the right shade of metallic for your tanks, this strike touches every corner of the miniature painting world. It’s a story of art, labor, and community colliding in ways that demand attention.
Vallejo workers are painting a clear picture: they deserve better, and they’re willing to fight for it. For the rest of us, the question is how we choose to support them while continuing to enjoy the creative outlets they’ve helped shape.
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What are your thoughts on the Vallejo paints strike? Will you be standing with the workers and passing on their paints for now?
About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
