The union faces another strike as artificial intelligence causes concern for members.
SAG-AFTRA called for a strike against major video game companies after almost two years of trying to negotiate its Interactive Media Agreement.
In September, members voted to authorize the strike against ten of the major video game companies. A total of 34,687 members casted ballots, resulting in 98.32% voting in favor of the strike. The ten video game companies in question are:
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.
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Following the news of the strike, SAG-AFTRA Fran Drescher explains the reasoning behind the strike.
“We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse AI to the detriment of our members. Enough is enough,” Drescher said in a statement. “When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live — and work — with, we will be here, ready to negotiate.”
The SAG-AFTRA National Board voted to put the power to call the strike in the hands of National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. The move was an early indicator that the union was preparing to make good on their repeated threats to walk away from the negotiation table.
“The video game industry generates billions of dollars in profit annually. The driving force behind that success is the creative people who design and create those games,” Crabtree-Ireland said in a statement.
According to the union, the opposing parties were far apart regarding the artificial intelligence provisions. Artificial intelligence has been the main issue, almost like the sore thumb, of this contract.
Voice actors will hit the picket lines this Thursday, as the union announced its first in-person action against one of the major video game companies. The picket will take on WB Games Inc in Los Angeles with members set to gather at Gate 5 of the studio lot.
The union’s Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee members Sarah Elmaleh, Zeke Alton, Ashly Burch and Andi Norris will attend the picket along with Crabtree-Ireland.
Other Hollywood unions announced their support of the picket in a joint statement. These unions include:
American Federation of Musicians
Directors Guild of America
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 40
International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 399
Laborers International Union of North America Local 724
Operating Plasterers & Cement Masons International Association Local 755
United Association Plumbers Local 78
Writers Guild of America East
Writers Guild of America West
The strike went into effect at midnight on Friday with several voice actors gathering at San Diego Comic-Con to talk about the situation. Comic-Con was exempt from the strike rules, so voice actors were allowed to promote video game projects at the convention.
The strike against gaming companies comes eight months after the historic actors’ strike, which lasted 118 days. The actors’ strike resulted in a new three-year television and theatrical contract, which was ratified in December 2023 with 78% members approving the contract.
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