The film and TV actor’s strike is ongoing, and now the SAG-AFTRA union is reportedly seeking authorization for a second strike – this one against major video game companies.
The union indicates talks over a new video game contract have reached a ‘stalemate’ with a strike authorization vote needed as leverage to win wage increases and protection against the rise of artificial intelligence.
The union has a separate contract with major video game makers like Activision and Electronic Arts. It was originally due to expire November 7th last year, but talks were extended for a year and are due to resume on September 26th.
SAG-AFTRA is reportedly asking for an 11% retroactive increase in rates for video game performers, followed by increases of 4% and 4% – the same asks they are making to the film and TV studios.
The union also wants rest periods and safety protections, on-set medics, a prohibition against stunts during self-taped auditions, along with protections from AI which pose a threat to voice and performance capture artists in the video game field.
SAG-AFTRA previously went on strike against the video game companies in October 2016 – a strike that went on for eleven months. Ballots for the strike authorization vote are due on September 25th.
Source: Variety
