SAG-AFTRA Eyeing A Second Strike, This Time Against Video Game Companies
This isn't the first time performers in video games have sought to go on (or been on) strike.
SAG-AFTRA is already in the midst of one strike and now they're seeking approval to start a second strike. This time, the union is lashing out at the video game industry.
While SAG-AFTRA is usually known to represent actors and other personnel on TV and the big screen, the union does have contracts with some major video game companies like EA and Activision. The contracts represent actors performing voice work and on camera work (usually used in motion capture).
The "current" contract actually expired last November but it was extended by one year and negotiations are set to begin again on September 26th.
The list of asks includes a 11% increase in rates for video game performers (to be retroactive) with 4% increases to follow. This ends up being the same thing SAG-AFTRA wants to get from TV and movie studios.
The union is also seeking additional break guidelines and medical requirements when stunt work is needed. The asks also includes a prohibition on stunts being asked for in self-audition tapes and protections against AI being used to stand in for talent as video game companies need to be blasted for their "greed and disrespect" according to Fran Drescher, SAG-AFTRA president.
Votes on the strike are due on September 25th. The last video game strike of SAG-AFTRA was in 2016 and it lasted about 11 months.
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About the Author
Mike “Magicman” Byrne has been a part of the MMOBomb family for years and serves as the site’s current Editor-in-Chief. His love for MMOs and gaming in general has led him to covering games for numerous gaming websites including Gamebreaker TV and XIV Nation where he proudly displays his fanboy flag for FFXIV:ARR.
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