Screen Actors Guild union votes to strike against video game makers

Members of the American union SAG-AFTRA, which represents the interests of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, voted almost unanimously to strike against the ten largest video game manufacturers. This is reported by Rolling Stone.

Companies facing strike action from SAG-AFTRA members include Activision Productions, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts Productions, Epic Games, Formosa Interactive. The union’s previous strike against these companies in 2016-2017 lasted 183 days. Current negotiations with video game producers to improve contract terms for actors have been dragging on for almost a year, and the union is considering more drastic measures. The union is seeking improved pay for actors, regulation of the use of artificial intelligence, as well as safety guarantees.

“It’s time for video game developers to stop playing games and get serious about negotiating labor agreements,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. 98.32% of the nearly 35 thousand people who took part in the vote were in favor of the strike. The voting results do not mean that the strike will actually begin. However, they allow a strike to be called at any time if ongoing negotiations with companies fail. The next round of negotiations is due to take place on September 26. And if it is not successful, the strike could begin in any of the coming days.

Representatives of video game developers note that they all want “a fair contract that reflects the important contributions of the workers represented by SAG-AFTRA to an industry that provides world-class entertainment to billions of players around the world.” The companies hope that “a mutually beneficial agreement will be reached as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, since July 14, SAG-AFTRA members continue strike, seeking better contract terms from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The strike participants do not participate in the filming of films and TV series, as well as in the promotion of projects. And members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), who have been on strike since the beginning of May, reached with AMPTP a preliminary agreement to end the strike.

Alena Miklashevskaya