LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) — Hollywood’s unionized video game performers announced plans to strike on Thursday after negotiations with major game studios after negotiations on contractual protections from artificial intelligence systems broke down.
The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) a union representing the workers, voted to authorize the strike effective 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 26.
According to SAG-AFTRA, the decision to authorize the strike comes after a year and a half of negotiations without reaching an agreement with major game studios, including divisions of Activision, Warner Bros. and Walt Disney Co.
“Although agreements have been reached on many issues important to SAG-AFTRA members, the employers refuse to plainly affirm, in clear and enforceable language, that they will protect all performers covered by this contract in their A.I. language,” a statement from the Union said.
News of the strike by video game workers comes a little more than a year after actors took to the picket lines in the largest Hollywood labor action in decades saw actors walk off the job for almost 5 months in 2023.
“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,” stated Audrey Cooling, a spokesperson for the group representing video game makes in the negotiations.
