SAG-AFTRA members overwhelmingly authorize video game strike
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SAG-AFTRA members overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike on the Interactive Media Agreement (IMA) that covers members’ work on video games. Of the 34,687 ballots cast — (27.47% turn out), 98.32% voted in favor of the measure. Polls closed today September 25 at 5p.m. PT.
However, the strike authorization is not a call for an immediate strike. Since October 2022, SAG-AFTRA has been negotiating with the video game companies that signed onto the IMA. These include Activision, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Epic Games, Take-Two Interactive, VoiceWorks Productions and WB Games. If a strike is called, it’s not clear how other studios not covered in the IMA will respond.
“After five rounds of bargaining, it has become abundantly clear that the video game companies aren’t willing to meaningfully engage on the critical issues: compensation undercut by inflation, unregulated use of AI and safety,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator. “I remain hopeful that we will be able to reach an agreement that meets members’ needs, but our members are done being exploited, and if these corporations aren’t willing to offer a fair deal, our next stop will be the picket lines.”
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