American actors’ union requests approval for strike against game companies

The American union for actors and voice actors, SAG-Aftra, is asking its members to vote for a possible strike against American video game companies. If a majority is in favor, the union may initiate a strike, after which members must immediately cease work.

SAG-Aftra said the board ‘unanimously’ agreed to let members vote on a possible strike against American gaming companies, writes Deadline, among others. The voting period lasts from September 5 to 25. The union’s president, Fran Drescher, says the union is “once again confronted by greed and contempt” from gaming companies. Artificial intelligence is specifically mentioned, which, according to Drescher, ‘poses a danger to our members that reduces the chance of employment’.

In addition to contractual protection against AI, an 11 percent rate increase is being demanded, with retroactive effect, which, according to SAG-Aftra, is necessary to keep up with inflation. Furthermore, the union wants actors who are in front of the camera to be entitled to five minutes of rest every hour, just as is already the case for employees behind the scenes. SAG-Aftra also requires that a medical professional must always be present on set when performing stunts or other dangerous activities.

The union says that it has so far not been able to agree with game companies on the terms of the new Interactive Media Agreement contract that SAG-Aftra is trying to conclude with them. That is why the union believes it is important that it can immediately declare a strike if the negotiations, which will resume on September 26, again fail. Specifically, Activision, EA, Insomniac Games and Take-Two are mentioned as companies against which a strike will take place.

This would not be the first time that the union has initiated a strike against gaming companies. The last time that happened was in October 2016 and lasted a total of 183 days. The union has been on strike against film and television companies since July, also to ensure protection against the use of AI.