Actors in Hollywood are now planning to take their labor fight to the video game industry.
The union representing many of the popular Hollywood actors, SAG-AFTRA, announced Friday a potential strike against major video game companies such as Activision and Electronic Arts.
The union said the negotiations that were started back in 2017 have stalemated without any agreement. These negotiations were centered around wage increases and the guaranteed protections concerning the use of artificial intelligence.
Behind the lack of negotiations are the fears that artificial intelligence technology is now threatening the jobs of many of Hollywood actors with it widely used in many popular video games.
The union president, Fran Drescher, released a statement concerning the need for this and shined a light on the way in which the video game industry companies are conducting themselves.
“Once again artificial intelligence is putting our members in jeopardy of reducing their opportunity to work,” Drescher said. “And once again, SAG-AFTRA is standing up to tyranny on behalf of its members. We will continue to demand fairness and dignity for those performers who dedicate their craft to video games, just as we do for all performers.”
SAG-AFTRA’s last strike against video game makers was in 2016 and lasted nearly a year. The current strike they are currently in against various Studios is entering its third month with many people being out of work and the economy of the entire nation being affected greatly.
🎥🎮WATCH NOW: Learn more about the Interactive Media (Video Game) Agreement strike authorization vote from SAG-AFTRA Chief Negotiator @DuncanCI. #SagAftraStrong
Part 1: https://t.co/2sigRAXzEy
Part 2: https://t.co/mOl2xzYISw pic.twitter.com/RZXYCtfnfP
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) September 2, 2023
With this strike authorization being requested of the members by the SAG-AFTRA union, this would no doubt have a significant impact on the video game industry. With the already complicated situation that many game makers find themselves in with new console releases and lengthy development times, this strike could be a great inconvenience for them.
Leaders for both sides in the negotiations have been called upon to renew the process and avoid the strike by having members of the union vote to authorize the strike so it will not happen.
Whether or not the strike will actually occur is to be seen. But what is certain is that the video game makers are aware of the pressure they are under to ensure the wages of their actors are fair and they have the protection to securely provide their services.
