The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has called for a strike. This strike will begin at 12:01AM on July 26, 2024. This strike comes after SAG-AFTRA unanimously agreed earlier this week to call for a strike at will in an effort to protect voice actors from generative AI technologies.
This strike comes "after more than a year and a half of negotiations [about the Interactive Media Agreement] without a deal." This is according to statements made by national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. Those are the same negotiations that were discussed back in September 2023. Curiously, we thought that whole ordeal came to an end in January 2024 with SAG-AFTRA announced they struck a deal with the AI firm Replica Studios.
As it currently stands, SAG-AFTRA has been holding ongoing negotiations with studios such as Activision, Blindlight, Disney, Electronic Arts, Formosa Interactive, Insomnia, Llama Productions, Take 2 Productions, VoiceWorks Productions, and WB Games.
According to Games Industry, SAG-AFTRA was "campaigning to offer critical AI protections for members."
SAG-AFTRA says it was campaigning to offer critical AI protections for members by asking "any game looking to employ SAG-AFTRA talent to perform covered work must sign on to the new Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive Media Agreement, the Interactive Media Agreement, or the Interim Interactive Localization Agreement."
However, SAG-AFTRA claims that although agreements have been reached on "many issues important" to its members, "the employers refuse to plainly affirm, in clear and enforceable language, that they will protect all performers covered by this contract in their AI language."
However, SAG-AFTRA claims that although agreements have been reached on "many issues important" to its members, "the employers refuse to plainly affirm, in clear and enforceable language, that they will protect all performers covered by this contract in their AI language."
"That includes the SAG-AFTRA members who bring memorable and beloved game characters to life, and they deserve and demand the same fundamental protections as performers in film, television, streaming, and music: fair compensation and the right of informed consent for the AI use of their faces, voices, and bodies.
"Frankly, it's stunning that these video game studios haven’t learned anything from the lessons of last year - that our members can and will stand up and demand fair and equitable treatment with respect to A.I., and the public supports us in that."
"Frankly, it's stunning that these video game studios haven’t learned anything from the lessons of last year - that our members can and will stand up and demand fair and equitable treatment with respect to A.I., and the public supports us in that."
"We are disappointed the union has chosen to walk away when we are so close to a deal, and we remain prepared to resume negotiations. We have already found common ground on 24 out of 25 proposals, including historic wage increases and additional safety provisions.
"Our offer is directly responsive to SAG-AFTRA’s concerns and extends meaningful AI protections that include requiring consent and fair compensation to all performers working under the IMA. These terms are among the strongest in the entertainment industry."
"Our offer is directly responsive to SAG-AFTRA’s concerns and extends meaningful AI protections that include requiring consent and fair compensation to all performers working under the IMA. These terms are among the strongest in the entertainment industry."
