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Hot Labor Summer is turning into a Hotter Labor Autumn, it seems, as the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) is gearing up for another strike — this time against video game companies.
The actors’ union, which has been on strike against Hollywood film and TV studios since July, announced a strike authorization vote for its 160,000 members last Friday. SAG-AFTRA leadership recommended the move in line with the resumption of talks for the Interactive (Video Game) Media Agreement, which have, they say, reached a stalemate.
The agreement covers all performers involved in interactive program or video games — including off-camera (voiceover) performers, on-camera (motion capture, stunt) performers, stunt coordinators, singers, dancers, puppeteers, and background performers. Gaming companies covered include Activision Productions, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Take 2 Productions, and WB Games.
But what issues is the union fighting for, and what happens next?
Why Actors and Performers Are Preparing to Strike Again
SAG-AFTRA’s negotiations with video game companies are separate from their contract covering film and TV work with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the failed talks for which have led to one half of the twin Hollywood strikes. However, many of the key issues raised in the negotiations are the same, most crucially: artificial intelligence (AI) and better compensation.
In fact, CNN reports that though nine of the union’s 16 proposals have reached resolutions or tentative agreements, the concerns raised over wages and the use of AI have not been fully addressed.
“Voice and performance capture AI are already among the most advanced uses of AI: the threat is here and it is real,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland in a statement. “Without contractual protections, the employers are asking performers to unknowingly participate in the extinction of their artistry and livelihoods.”
Much of the work covered in the Interactive Media Agreement is “performance capture.” This is when stunt performers and professionals are digitally captured in order to make characters move convincingly and expressively in video games. Without proper regulations, AI poses an enormous threat to these artists’ professions.
SAG-AFTRA is reportedly seeking policies for informed consent for AI use, which a SAG-AFTRA negotiator describes as “the linchpin.” Speaking to CNN reporters, they said, “If you want to make a deal with someone to make multiple characters, we want people to agree or not agree to that and be compensated for it. We’re not trying to upend the way video games are made.”
Aside from AI regulations, SAG-AFTRA is seeking wage increases for video game performers, similar to their demands for those under film and TV contracts with the AMPTP. These include an 11% increase retroactive to expiration, as well as 4% increases in the second and third years of the agreement. The wage hikes, the union says, are necessary to keep up with inflation.
In contrast, the wage increases proposed by video game companies have been described as “a nominal dollar increase, but a real dollar pay cut” due to inflation. The end result, under those terms, would be that members will be making less in real-dollar value in 2025, compared to what they were earning in 2020.
Other requests from the union include:
- The same rest period of five minutes per hour for on-camera performers as those that off-camera performers are entitled to;
- A set medic to be present when stunts or hazardous work is performed, as required in film and TV sets;
- Prohibitions against stunts on self-taped auditions, where medics will not be present; and
- Protections regarding vocal stress for voice actors.
These proposals will have a profound impact on the union’s members, whose contract with major video game companies was due to expire in November. The contract has been extended by a year, however, to allow for negotiations to continue.
For Crabtree-Ireland, “The voice and performance capture artists who bring video game characters to life deserve a contract that reflects the value they bring to the multibillion-dollar gaming industry.”
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher draws parallels between the negotiations with the video game industry and the AMPTP.
“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,” Drescher said. “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 burn workers out of their livelihoods and humans out of their usefulness. We at SAG-AFTRA say NO! Not on our watch!”
What Now?
SAG-AFTRA is set to mail voting information postcards to eligible voters this Tuesday, with informational meetings set for September 7 and September 12. The strike authorization vote closes on September 25.
However, it’s important to note that a successful strike authorization vote doesn’t mean a strike will definitely begin later this month. If SAG-AFTRA members do vote to authorize a strike, this means that their negotiating committee can bring that to the bargaining table with video game companies when talks resume on September 26.
In other words, a successful strike authorization is a useful tool for negotiations, as it raises the possibility of a work stoppage if the union’s demands for appropriate wages and protections against unregulated AI use will not be met.
If that happens, like it did with the AMPTP talks, then SAG-AFTRA leadership is then authorized to declare a strike against video game companies.
On their website, SAG-AFTRA leadership clarifies that, “While we’re fighting for many of the same issues, the IMA is a separate contract from the TV, theatrical and streaming contracts against which SAG-AFTRA members are currently striking. As such, the outcome of the IMA strike authorization vote does not affect our mission of winning a fair TV/Theatrical/Streaming contract for members. Our resolve is strong and we are prepared to fight on both fronts if needed.”
Audrey Cooling, a spokesperson for the gaming companies, has said that they are also seeking a fair contract. “We all want a fair contract that reflects the important contributions of SAG-AFTRA-represented performers in an industry that delivers world-class entertainment to billions of players around the world,” Cooling said in a statement. “We are negotiating in good faith and hope to reach a mutually beneficial deal as soon as possible.”
SAG-AFTRA last called a strike against video game companies in 2016. That strike lasted 340 days (or a little over 11 months), and is the longest strike in SAG-AFTRA history.
