As this Friday’s strike date nears, SAG-AFTRA resumed negotiations on Monday with top video gaming companies for fair labor practices.
The negotiations are currently scheduled to happen through Wednesday but prospects for an agreement are starting to dim as big gaming companies and the actors union are trading a war of words in the public sphere.
Game makers, including Activision and Electronic Arts, said in a joint statement on Monday that they “have negotiated in good faith” with SAG-AFTRA and are “disappointed” over the strike date announcement.
“As part of the minority of game companies that are signatory to an agreement with [the] union, we have demonstrated our commitment to excellent wages and working conditions for video game performers,” the gaming companies said. “We are confident that no matter what action the union leadership takes, our current release schedule will not be materially impacted.”
In response, SAG-AFTRA indicated the gaming giants have mischaracterized the union’s position, saying in a statement on Monday: “We are surprised to hear that the video game companies with whom we have been negotiating for nearly two years now assert that progress is being made on the major concerns we are focused on in this negotiation. We look forward to hearing their thoughts on the crucial issues of performer safety and fair compensation that we have put forward.”
TheWrap has learned the top priorities for the actors union are:
-That video game actors get paid residuals for their work.
-Limit sessions for vocal work to two hours in order to avoid vocal chord injuries.
-Improved transparency, so actors know whether they’re playing a lead character or a supporting role, and also whether they’ll have to relay sexually explicit or offensive language and/or storylines.
-Assurances that stunt coordinators will be present when capturing stunts or other dangerous work.
SAG-AFTRA declared its strike plan following a unanimous vote over the weekend among the labor union’s board of directors.
The strike will happen on Friday (Oct. 21) at 12:01 a.m. PST if SAG-AFTRA’s terms aren’t met this week with video game publishers: Activision; Blindlight; Corps of Discovery Films; Disney Character Voices, Inc.; Electronic Arts; Formosa Interactive; Insomniac Games; Interactive Associates; Take 2 Interactive; VoiceWorks Productions; and WB Games.
SAG-AFTRA contends that progress in negotiations has stalled for more than a year.
“Unless a deal is struck during bargaining sessions scheduled for the first part of this week, all games that went into production after Feb. 17, 2015 for the aforementioned employers will be struck,” a SAG-AFTRA announcement read.
“Through many months of bargaining with interactive employers, we have not reached a fair agreement covering SAG-AFTRA performers working in video games — often the most popular games in the world,” said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris in a statement. “Our members have been clear, now is the time for employers to negotiate a modern contract that covers this highly profitable industry.”
“A strike is not to be entered into lightly, but when the employers leave us with no recourse, we must stand firm for our members. It is imperative that we secure for them the protections, compensation and benefits they deserve,” Carteris added.
“We have received a clear and unambiguous message from the community who work this agreement that the situation they face has become intolerable,” said National Executive Director David White. “We are always prepared to reach a fair deal with employers, but they must play their part. It is a serious decision to conclude that a job action of this magnitude is necessary and we hope that we can reach a fair deal before the deadline set by the board. But make no mistake: if we are unable to find a way to address the minimum needs of our members, we will go on strike as planned.”
“We need a contract that fits the needs of our members working in video games,” said Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez. “So far employers have been unwilling to meet us even close to where the needs of our members are.”