Actors’ Union SAG-AFTRA Votes A Resounding 98.32% To Allow A Video Game Strike

The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA has voted majorly in favor of authorizing a video game strike. The potential strike has garnered a massive 98.32% out of 100% votes, suggesting that members in the union could strike over the Interactive Media Agreement. It covers members working in the video game industry. However, it is worth noting that the authorization does not mean that actors will strike, but they can if push comes to shove.

SAG-AFTRA Members Approve Video Game Strike Authorization Vote With 98.32% Yes Vote https://t.co/skrGUK7yBq

— SAG-AFTRA NEWS (@sagaftranews) September 26, 2023

It’s time for the video game companies to stop playing games and get serious about reaching an agreement on this contract,” said SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher.

The results of the new voting were announced earlier today, in which 34,687 members participated. The figure amounted to 27.47% of eligible voters. SAG-AFTRA has been in talks with several game companies since last year. It wants to find common ground with them to aid devs. Some of the points raised by the union discuss the exploitative use of AI that affects devs, keeping the salary up to par with the rising inflation and the like.

The result of this vote shows our membership understands the existential nature of these negotiations, and that the time is now for these companies – which are making billions of dollars and paying their CEOs lavishly – to give our performers an agreement that keeps performing in video games as a viable career.”

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SAG-AFTRA has been in discussions with ten game companies, including Activision, Electronic Arts, Insomniac Games, Epic Games, VoiceWorks Productions, WB Games Inc., and many more. It has held five different conferences with the game companies to iron out any differences to reach an agreement.

Between the exploitative uses of AI and lagging wages, those who work in video games are facing many of the same issues as those who work in film and television. This strike authorization makes an emphatic statement that we must reach an agreement that will fairly compensate these talented performers, provide common-sense safety measures, and allow them to work with dignity. Our members’ livelihoods depend on it,” said chief contracts officer Ray Rodriguez.

The next bargaining sessions between SAG-AFTRA and the game companies will be held from September 26 to September 28. The organization hopes the authorization to strike the video game companies will compel the conglomerates to take the matter seriously.