SAG-AFTRA has learned that one of the video game companies we’re striking against is approaching our members to take non-union performance capture work. While the specific project in question doesn’t fall under the strike order, it’s important to remember that non-union work is a violation of Global Rule One, which requires that members work under a union contract.
The union takes Global Rule One seriously, and violating it by taking non-union work can result in disciplinary action ranging from reprimands to fines to expulsion. But even more importantly, working non-union undermines your fellow members and weakens our bargaining power — which is especially damaging during a strike.
It was members’ unity during the TV/Theatrical/Streaming strike that delivered victory against the most powerful film and television studios in the industry, and we need that same energy to prevail during the video game strike.
As a reminder of what’s at stake, these companies want to use generative artificial intelligence to create new performances based on some members’ work — without permission or compensation. In essence, they want to use your performance to make you obsolete.
Solidarity is the source of all our power, and members who take non-union work hurt us all. Anyone can anonymously report instances of strike-breaking here.
And finally, it’s important to remember that SAG-AFTRA members can continue to work on video games that are signed to one of our Interim Interactive Media or Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive agreements, which contain the A.I. protections that we are asking the larger companies to agree to.
Read more about Global Rule One here.
About SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.