SAG-AFTRA Will Vote For A Strike Against Video Game Companies

The vote will conclude on Sept. 25, before the bargaining starts.

 

Hollywood’s current strike has the potential to impact the video game industry as well. The National Board of SAG-AFTRA has unanimously agreed to hold a vote on strike authorization for its members, preceding negotiations with video game companies.

Although the Interactive Media Agreement was extended last year, it failed to address important concerns such as wage increments, rest breaks, and artificial intelligence safeguards, according to SAG-AFTRA. “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,” said SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, referencing the union’s current strike over its TV/theatrical contract with the AMPTP. “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 union aims to receive consent and fair payment for the use of digital replicas and training AI systems using members’ performances. SAG-AFTRA also seeks wage increases for video game performers that are comparable to those in film and television contracts: 11 percent retroactive to expiration and 4 percent increases in the second and third years of the agreement.

Information postcards will be mailed to voters on Sept. 5, and voting will conclude on Sept. 25.

Signatory game companies include Activision Productions, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts Productions, Epic Games, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Take 2 Productions, VoiceWorks Productions and WB Games.

 

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Published On: September 7, 2023Categories: NewsTags:

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The vote will conclude on Sept. 25, before the bargaining starts.

 

Hollywood’s current strike has the potential to impact the video game industry as well. The National Board of SAG-AFTRA has unanimously agreed to hold a vote on strike authorization for its members, preceding negotiations with video game companies.

Although the Interactive Media Agreement was extended last year, it failed to address important concerns such as wage increments, rest breaks, and artificial intelligence safeguards, according to SAG-AFTRA. “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,” said SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, referencing the union’s current strike over its TV/theatrical contract with the AMPTP. “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 union aims to receive consent and fair payment for the use of digital replicas and training AI systems using members’ performances. SAG-AFTRA also seeks wage increases for video game performers that are comparable to those in film and television contracts: 11 percent retroactive to expiration and 4 percent increases in the second and third years of the agreement.

Information postcards will be mailed to voters on Sept. 5, and voting will conclude on Sept. 25.

Signatory game companies include Activision Productions, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts Productions, Epic Games, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Take 2 Productions, VoiceWorks Productions and WB Games.

 

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Published On: September 7, 2023Categories: NewsTags:

Share:

Hollywood Cuts 17000 Jobs In August As Strikes Continue
US Copyright Office Is Taking Steps Toward Rules for Generative AI