SAG-AFTRA video game actors could strike over AI concerns and wage demands
SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents a number of voice actors and performers plying their trade in the game industry, has called for strike action.
Over the weekend, SAG-AFTRA's National Board voted unanimously to send a strike authorization vote to union members, who will have from September 5 to September 25 to decide whether to back the move.
SAG-AFTRA has a contract called the 'Interactive Media (Video Games) Agreement' that covers performers working with signatory companies including Activision, EA, Epic Games, WB Games, and Insomniac Games.
The union has been attempting to renegotiate the terms of that contract to better reflect the "value [performers] bring to the multi-billion dollar gaming industry," but said talks have reached a stalemate.
Crucially, SAG-AFTRA is seeking protections to combat the threat of AI; a retroactive 11 percent wage increase for performers that will see them earn the same as those working under film and television contracts; the ability for on-camera performers to have the same five-minutes-per-hour rest period that off-camera performers are entitled to; and for on-set medics to be present during hazardous stunt work.
"Here we go again! Now our Interactive (Video Game) Agreement is at a stalemate too. 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," said SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher.
"The overlap of these two SAG-AFTRA contracts is no coincidence, but rather a predictable issue impacting our industry as well as others all over the world. The disease of greed is spreading like wildfire ready to
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