SAG-AFTRA will continue to strike in search of better working conditions and protections for video game artists after expanding negotiations with major movie studios.
The union, which represents around 160,000 artists, broadcasters, writers and entertainment workers, many of them from the video game industry, has concluded three days of scheduled denials with an employer unit that includes Activision Productions, EA, Insomniac Games, Take 2 Productions and more.
In a statement released following the conclusion of those talks, SAG-AFTRA said its strike against film studios that are signatories to the Interactive Media Agreement “remains in effect,” with the exception of projects proceeding under the Media Agreement phased budget independent interactives or the Interim Interactive. Media agreement.
“After three days of scheduled negotiations, SAG-AFTRA announced that negotiations for the Employer Interactive Media Agreement will continue, with new dates to be announced as they are confirmed,” a short statement is read.
“Negotiations have resumed with the employer which includes Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Llama Productions LLC, Take 2 Productions Inc. and WB Games Inc. on October 23.”
Since then, SAG-AFTRA artists and organizers have staged numerous in-person walkouts agreeing to reduce instruments in Julyforming pickets in front of major studios including WB Games.
The strike was authorized after 18 months of negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and companies signatory to the Interactive Media Agreement, which partially stalled after the union sought to provide AI protection to its members. Union leaders said these talks showed that games industry employers are not interested in “fair and reasonable protections of artificial intelligence, but rather flagrant exploitation.”
“We reject this paradigm: we will not leave any of our members behind, nor will we wait any longer for sufficient protection,” Sarah Elmaleh, chair of the Interactive Media Agreement Negotiation Committee, said when she called the strike.
“We look forward to collaborating with the teams on our interim and independent contracts, which provide AI transparency, consent and compensation to all artists, and to continuing to negotiate in good faith with this contracting group when it is ready to join us in the world we live in. everyone deserves it.”