SAG-AFTRA is calling for its members to strike against major video game companies on Thursday after negotiations over concerns about AI collapsed.
The latest industrial action by the union follows a lengthy strike last year that shocked the industry and comes after more than a year and a half of talks centred around the interactive media agreement.
The union wants a new agreement to protect its members' voice, performance capture work and more. The contract expires in November 2022 and has been operating under a month-to-month agreement since then. More than 30,000 SAG-AFTRA members approved a strike vote last year.
“We will not agree to contracts that allow companies to misuse AI to the detriment of our members,” said SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher.
“Enough is enough. When these companies seriously propose an agreement where our members can live and work, we are ready to negotiate.”
“Frankly, it's astonishing that these video game studios have not learned any of the lessons of last year,” added Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union's national executive director and lead negotiator, who made a name for himself in the entertainment industry during last year's strikes. “Our members can and will stand up and demand fair and equitable treatment when it comes to AI, and the public supports them.”
The union is in negotiations with Activision Productions, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts Productions and WB Games, among others.
Statements made on behalf of A video game developer involved in the negotiations said: “We are disappointed that the union chose to walk away when we were so close to an agreement. We stand ready to resume negotiations.”
“We have already reached agreement on 24 of 25 proposals, including historic wage increases and additional safety measures. Our proposal directly responds to SAG-AFTRA's concerns and extends meaningful AI protections, including requiring consent and fair compensation for all performers working under the IMA. These terms are among the strongest in the entertainment industry.”
