In early June, Dark Horse announced that it would voluntarily recognize the formation of the union Dark Horse Workers United.

Dark Horse interim CEO Jay Komas in the announcement said at the time it was reaching out to the union’s attorney to initiate the appropriate next steps in this process. Komas continued to call the unionization “courageous” and recognized the issues that employees stated and said he, like its workers, thinks the company can do better.

Now, Dark Horse has said that it has officially signed a Voluntary Recognition Agreement with CWA Local 7901.

That begins the formal collective bargaining process, the next big hurdle in the unionization effort. In it, representatives from the union and Dark Horse will sit down and work out an agreement between them about treatment and rules regarding employees. It can be everything from making pay consistent, to reworking vacation and hours, as well as general process within the company.

Komas in the statement that Dark Horse is “ready to show up to that table in the same spirit: honestly, constructively, and with genuine respect for the people who make this company what it is.”

The negotiation process can take quite a while and then will be formally voted on by the union members to see if they accept or reject what has been proposed.

You can read the full statement from Dark Horse below:

When we announced our decision to voluntarily recognize Dark Horse Workers United, I said this was an opportunity to build something better together. Today, we’re pleased to announce we’ve taken the next step on this path — signing a Voluntary Recognition Agreement with CWA Local 7901.

This agreement marks the formal beginning of the collective bargaining process, and we’re ready to show up to that table in the same spirit: honestly, constructively, and with genuine respect for the people who make this company what it is.

We look forward to negotiating an agreement that reflects the value of everyone here.

— Jay Komas, on behalf of the Dark Horse Comics Leadership Team