SAG-AFTRA Members Approve Strike Action Against Video Game Firms

In a recent development, members of the performers union, SAG-AFTRA, have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike authorization against the video game industry, escalating the possibility of a potential work stoppage.

What Happened: Monday’s vote saw a massive 98.32% of the union members back the strike authorization. Out of the 34,687 participating members, they represented 27.47% of eligible voters. Although this authorization doesn’t guarantee a strike, it does empower union negotiators to call for one during the ongoing Interactive Media Agreement (IMA) negotiations, if necessary, reported The Hollywood Reporter.

The union president, Fran Drescher, stated, "It's time for the video game companies to stop playing games and get serious about reaching an agreement on this contract." An IMA spokesperson responded, reiterating their commitment to “negotiate in good faith”.

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The new contract under negotiation spans voice, motion capture, and stunt work for video games and other performances. The union’s objective is to significantly enhance the compensation for their performers to counter inflation, regulate AI usage for performances, and implement stronger safety measures for artists.

Why It Matters: This vote comes in the backdrop of a contentious tussle between Hollywood studios and SAG-AFTRA over the usage of AI in performances. Earlier in July, studios proposed using AI replicas of actors, a move met with strong opposition from the union. The issue took a more serious turn in September when actor Stephen Fry reported his voice being unlawfully used to create an AI version without his consent.

These incidents underscore the union’s concerns and highlight the importance of the ongoing negotiations. The outcome could reshape how the video game industry operates and compensates its performers.

Photo by Fredrick Tendong on Unsplash

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