SAG-AFTRA members have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike against ten of the major video game companies. The vote was 98.32% yes. A total of 34,687 members cast their votes, which corresponds to 27.47% of those eligible to vote. The guild’s last strike against gambling companies in 2016-17 lasted 183 days. Meanwhile, the guild has been on strike against the film and television industry since July 14.
“It’s time for the video game companies to stop playing and get serious about reaching an agreement on this contract,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “The result of this vote shows that our members understand the existential nature of these negotiations and that now is the time for these companies – who make billions of dollars and pay their CEOs generously – to give our artists an agreement that continues to allow video performances . “Gaming as a viable career.”
The Guild’s Board of Directors and Negotiations Committee had already voted unanimously to recommend the approval vote, which required approval from 75% of voting members to pass. However, today’s vote does not necessarily mean that there will be a strike, but rather gives the National Council the power to call a strike if negotiations do not lead to an acceptable agreement.
The guild and companies will resume negotiations on Tuesday, and with strike authorization now approved, a strike could occur at any time after that.
“After five rounds of negotiations, it has become abundantly clear that video game companies are unwilling to meaningfully engage on the issues that matter: compensation eroded by inflation, unregulated use of AI and security,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree- Ireland. “I remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement that meets members’ needs, but our members are tired of being exploited and if these companies are unwilling to offer a fair deal, our next stops will be the picket lines be.” “
It’s been nearly a year since the guild’s video game contract, known as the Interactive Media Agreement, was extended past its original expiration date. “Unfortunately, companies have failed to address these needs during negotiations,” the union said on September 1 as it prepared for another strike.
Many of the issues related to the ongoing film and television strike are identical to those of the video game contract, including wages and artificial intelligence.
“With the exploitative use of AI and declining wages, those who work in video games face many of the same issues as those who work in film and television,” said Ray Rodriguez, chief contracts officer. “This strike authorization makes it clear that we must reach an agreement that fairly compensates these talented artists, provides reasonable safety measures and allows them to work with dignity. Our members’ livelihoods depend on this.”
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said on September 1, as the guild faced double whammy: “Now our agreement on interactive video games is also in a stalemate. Once again we are faced with greed and disrespect from employers. Once again, artificial intelligence is putting our members at risk, reducing their chances of finding work. And once again, SAG-AFTRA stands against tyranny on behalf of its members.”
The 10 companies facing a possible strike are:
- Activision Productions Inc.,
- Blindlight LLC,
- Disney Character Voices Inc.,
- Electronic Arts Productions Inc.,
- Epic Games, Inc.,
- Formosa Interactive LLC,
- Insomniac Games Inc.,
- Take2 Productions Inc.,
- VoiceWorks Productions Inc. and
- WB Games Inc.
Audrey Cooling, a spokeswoman for the video game companies, said: “We all want a fair contract that reflects the important contributions of the artists represented by SAG-AFTRA in an industry that provides world-class entertainment to billions of gamers around the world.” We are negotiating in in good faith and hope to reach a mutually beneficial agreement as soon as possible.”