One of the ongoing Hollywood strikes is coming to a conclusion as the WGA comes to terms with studios. However, it seems that another strike may happen as video game actors get approval to head to the picket lines.
Earlier this week, members of the SAG-AFTRA voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike authorization against the video game industry. 34,687 members from the union cast their votes and represented 27.47 percent of eligible voters. The result does not immediately guarantee that there will be a work stoppage but gives the union the ability to call a strike if they deem it necessary amid the ongoing negotiations for a new Interactive Media Agreement.
It’s time for the video game companies to stop playing games and get serious about reaching an agreement on this contract,” SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said in a statement. “The result of this vote shows our membership understands the existential nature of these negotiations, and that the time is now for these companies — which are making billions of dollars and paying their CEOs lavishly — to give our performers an agreement that keeps performing in video games as a viable career.”
A spokesperson for the IMA responded to the strike authorization, stating, “We will continue to negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement that reflects the important contributions of SAG-AFTRA-represented performers in video games. We have reached tentative agreements on over half of the proposals and are optimistic we can find a resolution at the bargaining table.”
The voting period started on September 5 and ended last Monday, with negotiations restarting on Tuesday. “We fear without having substantial leverage in place, the companies will continue to drag their feet on making an acceptable deal,” the union said. “The outcome of the IMA negotiations will determine whether our members working in interactive media can continue earning a professional living doing the job they love.”
The new contract covers voice, motion capture, and stunt work on video games, as well as other related performances. The negotiations started nearly a year ago with video game companies including 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. and W.B. Games Inc.
The new contract aims to improve the compensation for actors working with video game companies to counteract the effects of inflation, regulate the use of AI in video games, and implement greater safety measures for actors. “It’s not being dramatic to say we are at a crossroads where the very sustainability of a career performing in video games is at stake,” SAG-AFTRA executive vice president Ben Whitehair stated.
“Between the exploitative uses of AI and lagging wages, those who work in video games are facing many of the same issues as those who work in film and television,” SAG-AFTRA’s chief contracts officer Ray Rodriguez explained. “This strike authorization makes an emphatic statement that we must reach an agreement that will fairly compensate these talented performers, provide common-sense safety measures, and allow them to work with dignity. Our members’ livelihoods depend on it.”
While there is no strike yet, the authorization will serve as leverage for the SAG-AFTRA as it negotiates a better contract for actors. The negotiations are still early and it will remain to be seen if a work stoppage would take effect. Hopefully, the negotiations with video game companies go much smoother and there will be no need for a strike.
