SAG-AFTRA Seeks Member Approval for Potential Second Strike Against Video Game Companies
The National Board of SAG-AFTRA has unanimously proposed a strike authorization vote to its members in preparation for upcoming negotiations with video game companies under their agreements.
Commenting on the development, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher expressed her concerns, stating, “Here we go again! Our Interactive (Video Game) Agreement is also at a stalemate. Once again, we are facing employer greed and disrespect. Once again, artificial intelligence is putting our members in jeopardy of reducing their opportunity to work. And once again, SAG-AFTRA is standing up to tyranny on behalf of its members.”
She emphasized, “The overlap of these two SAG-AFTRA contracts is no coincidence but a predictable issue impacting our industry and others worldwide. The disease of greed spreads like wildfire, ready to burn workers out of their livelihoods and humans out of their usefulness. We at SAG-AFTRA say NO! Not on our watch!”
SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland added, “The voice and performance capture artists who bring video game characters to life deserve a contract that reflects the value they bring to the multibillion-dollar gaming industry. Voice and performance capture AI is already among the most advanced uses of AI: The threat is here, and it is real. Without contractual protections, the employers are asking performers to participate in the extinction of their artistry and livelihoods unknowingly.”
The previous strike against video game companies took place in 2016, lasting 183 days. Talks between the guild and video game companies are scheduled to resume on September 26.
In addition to AI protections, the guild is advocating for wage increases for video game performers comparable to those under film and television contracts: an 11% retroactive increase upon expiration and 4% raises in the second and third years of the agreement.
The signatory video game companies include:
- Activision Productions Inc.
- Blindlight LLC
- Disney Character Voices Inc.
- Electronic Arts Productions Inc.
- Epic Games, Inc.
- Formosa Interactive LLC
- Insomniac Games Inc.
- Take 2 Productions Inc.
- VoiceWorks Productions Inc.
- WB Games Inc.
Voting information postcards will be sent to eligible voters on Tuesday, September 5, at 5 p.m. PT and will close on Monday, September 25.
SAG-AFTRA initiated a strike on July 14 against major studios and streamers, resulting in global production shutdowns.
