LOS ANGELES (October 28, 2016) -- Attorneys for SAG-AFTRA today issued a demand to the public relations representative and negotiations attorney for the 11 video game corporations the union is striking. The demand directs the PR rep to immediately cease infringing the union’s trademark and desist in its promotion of a deceptive website that masquerades as a SAG-AFTRA communications platform.
Citing the potential for confusion generated around the game companies’ use of SAG-AFTRA trademarks on this website and the absurdity of attempting such disingenuous tactics, union counsel issued a demand ordering the take down of the counterfeit website.
SAG-AFTRA Chief Contracts Officer and Lead Negotiator Ray Rodriguez said, “Management has a responsibility to negotiate in good faith. We could be making actual progress on the crucial economic, health and safety issues that led to this strike rather than having ‘Top Gun for Hire’ crisis PR advisors setting up misleading websites in an attempt to confuse people.
“The companies are spending more for a week of service from their PR hired gun than video game voice artists are asking for in secondary compensation on the most successful games in the world.
“This is the crux of our problem with these companies. They are not seriously addressing critical issues including how human beings are valued in the brutal technology marketplace. Our members want a deal. They want the respect they deserve for the extraordinary contributions they make to these companies’ products and bottom lines. They want serious consideration of their issues, not the indignity of a deceptive website.
“Our members have a message for the companies and their hired guns: Let’s get serious about getting a deal."
You can find the real issues at the Interactive Strike Center.
SAG-AFTRA called a strike on its Interactive Contract at 12:01 a.m. Friday, October 21, 2016. More than 350 picketers turned out for a rally and picket line at EA offices in Playa Vista, Calif. on Monday, October 24. The union has planned, but not yet scheduled, other actions for the coming weeks.