SAG-AFTRA Gears Up for Dual Strike Against Film, TV and Video Game Industries

With SAG-AFTRA members already striking against films and TV shows, the guild’s leaders stated the possibility of a dual strike against the video game industry could soon be a reality. Reflecting the same issues ingrained in the ongoing strike against film and TV, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland have communicated to members an awareness that "standing shoulder to shoulder," in these endeavors strengthens their fight against exploitation in the industry.

Since July 14, SAG-AFTRA has been striking against film and scripted TV productions. Membership voting to authorize a strike against ten major video game companies, all signed to the guild’s Interactive Media Agreement (IMA), commenced on Tuesday. The crux of the present conflicts circles around wages and artificial intelligence - issues which were key in the guild’s past strike against gaming companies, which ran for 183 days in 2016-17.

Members have been informed by Drescher and Crabtree-Ireland that the Interactive Media Agreement negotiations with video game companies will not influence the timing or expected progress of the ongoing strike on the TV/Theatrical contracts. They further emphasized the similarity of issues within the TV, film, and gaming sectors.

The guild is currently seeking pay raises under both agreements - specifically 11% in the first year and 4% in each of the following two years to keep up with inflation. “You should not have to take a real dollar pay cut to subsidize the bottom lines of companies making billions in profits by selling your work.”

In 2022, the ten companies marked to the guild’s video game contract generated over $19 billion in global revenue. Regardless of this, the guild leaders indicate that these enterprises are pursuing similar arguments as the film and television employers regarding wages. Amidst concerns for artificial intelligence, the leaders stressed the potential threat the unregulated use of AI could pose to performers, particularly voice artists.

Safety is another significant issue, with the current video game contract failing to provide rest periods for on-camera performers. A spokesperson for the video game companies, Audrey Cooling, stated that negotiations are ongoing, aiming to achieve a fair contract that reflects the importance of SAG-AFTRA-represented performers.

Despite five separate multiday bargaining sessions, Drescher and Crabtree-Ireland pointed out that the companies have yet to address these needs, urging members to vote in favor of a strike if necessary. The decision will be declared on September 25.

Now, let’s cut the drama and get down to real talk.

The issues circling this strike call to mind a game of Monopoly played on the uneven, earthquake-prone terrain of Hollywood. But unfortunately, in this scenario, nobody's playing with fake money. The stakes are real, as are the livelihoods of the men and women who clock in to work in front of a microphone or camera on a daily basis.

And as our tech-dominated society moves forward with AI, an animated Pikachu or a wise-cracking raccoon can be made to sound just like their original voice cast, using pre-recorded voice samples, while the likes of you, dear performer, are left without a paycheck. I mean, who wouldn’t want to fight against the possibility of their own technology-induced obsoleteness?

So as President Drescher and Executive Director Crabtree-Ireland rally the troops for yet another showdown in tinsel town, all I can do is send them my best. This is Hollywood and like with any good series, suspense, drama, and plot twists are all guaranteed. Meanwhile, audiences like us get to watch the saga unfold, munching on metaphorical popcorn as we eagerly look to see how the third act of this unfolding drama will play out.