SAG-AFTRA Video Game Strike Gets Equity Endorsement

The Actors' Equity Association has decided to back SAG-AFTRA's strike against video game companies and has instructed its members not to accept voice-over or performance capture work from the 11 companies cited in the complaint.

AEA Executive Director Mary McColl has released a statement that reads: "Equity members are reminded that they cannot accept work from these employers, and they should contact Equity immediately if they are offered any such employment," while also calling upon video game corporations to return to continue negotiations with the screen actors union. McColl also stated that Equity, the union that represents stage managers and stage actors, "stands in solidarity with and support of its sister union SAG-AFTRA as it fights for a fair contract for voice-over and motion-capture performers."

SAG-AFTRA has staged three demonstrations since the strike's inaugural picket on Oct. 21. Struck companies include Insomniac Games; Warner Bros.; EA; Activision Publishing; Blindlight; Corps of Discovery Films; Disney Character Voices, Inc.; Formosa Interactive, LLC; Interactive Associates; Take 2 Interactive Software; and VoiceWorks Productions.

According to a Variety report, "Negotiations cratered last month over the key issues of secondary compensation (residuals) and transparency for voice actors - meaning that the union wants companies to stop being able to hire without identifying the game. Scott Witlin, who represents the video game companies, has repeatedly blasted the union leadership for not allowing members to vote on the final offer, providing an immediate 9% pay hike."

Read the full story at Variety.