SAG-AFTRA Voice Actors And Developers Reach Tentative Contract Agreement
Image Source: USA Today
The SAG-AFTRA video game strike, ongoing since July 2024, may finally be at an end. The chief reason for the strike was protection for workers’ and performers’ livelihoods amid the rapidly rising use of AI. SAG-AFTRA announced that it has reached a tentative deal with the video game companies pending membership ratification. Details will be included in the ratification materials. It is important to note that until any such tentative agreements become finalized, the union remains on strike.
The union’s Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, shared his gratitude for the members. He said, “Everyone at SAG-AFTRA is immensely grateful for the sacrifices made by video game performers and the dedication of the Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee throughout these many months of the video game strike. Patience and persistence has resulted in a deal that puts in place the necessary A.I. guardrails that defend performers’ livelihoods in the A.I. age, alongside other important gains.”
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Image Source: WSWS
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher had similar words of praise. She explained, “Our video game performers stood strong against the biggest employers in one of the world’s most lucrative industries. Their incredible courage and persistence, combined with the tireless work of our negotiating committee, has at last secured a deal. The needle has been moved forward, and we are much better off than before. As soon as this is ratified, we roll up our sleeves and begin to plan the next negotiation. Every contract is a work in progress and progress is the name of the game.” The union is seeking consent and compensation for using AI replicas to prevent their own performances from taking the job away from them. If both the National Board for the union and the union members approve the contract, the strike will come to a swift end with those protections in place.
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