SAG-AFTRA and major video game companies will resume negotiations on October 23, 2024. The talks aim to end a three-month strike by the union’s members. The negotiations involve representatives from Activision, Blindlight, Disney Character Voices, EA, Formosa Interactive, Insomniac Games, Llama Productions, Take 2, and WB Games.
The strike began on July 25 after the parties failed to reach an agreement on provisions related to artificial intelligence. SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher said at the time, “We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse AI to the detriment of our members. Enough is enough.”
The companies countered that they had reached an agreement on 24 out of 25 proposals, covering wages, safety, and other issues.
They expressed disappointment that the union had “walked away.”
Since the strike began, SAG-AFTRA has been holding rolling protests in front of the offices of signatory companies.
Sag-Aftra resumes negotiations
The union has scheduled a picket for Wednesday, October 16 in front of the Warner Bros.
Games offices in Burbank. SAG-AFTRA’s chief contracts officer Ray Rodriguez has led the negotiations for the union, while Kauff McGuire & Margolis managing partner William E. Zuckerman has served as chief negotiator for the companies.
The interactive media agreement that governs video game performances expired in November 2022. The last time the two parties met in person was also in November of last year. The strikes and negotiations are focused on addressing rights and protection concerns raised by the industry’s exploration of AI technologies and improving working conditions for actors.
No further comment is available from either party at this time.
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