SAG-AFTRA

Fall 2016

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Why We STRIKE when management won't respect members' work, we must stand strong for our principles. T he union never undertakes a strike lightly; it is always an avenue of last resort. But when employers refuse to negotiate on issues of basic fairness, as they have regarding the Interactive Media Agreement, members must stand up for their principles. That's why, in voting completed in October 2015, SAG-AFTRA members resoundingly authorized a strike if management continued to be intransigent. More than 96 percent of the members who work the video game contract authorized the strike to modernize the contract, which hasn't changed significantly since 1994. For the video game agreement, it has been a long road that has left members with no other options. SAG-AFTRA has been trying for more than 19 months to negotiate a new deal with a group of employers in the video game industry, all while working under a contract that's more than two decades old. Members want increased transparency on the projects on which they work. At an Oct. 21 SAG-AFTRA press conference, Interactive Negotiating Committee Chair Keythe Farley noted that he worked for a year and a half voicing the villainous Kellogg in Fallout 4 without knowing what game he was working on. Members are also asking for modest secondary payments only for the most successful games. That's something that could make a big difference for middle-class performers. "We're asking for a little bit of shared prosperity. If a game makes $500 million, $750 million, a billion dollars, everyone who works on that game should get a little bonus," said performer Crispin Freeman. "We ask for … a little bit of consideration that it's our likenesses, our voices, our performances that are helping make these games great." During its meeting in Los Angeles on the weekend of Oct. 15, SAG-AFTRA's National Board unanimously voted to move ahead with the strike pending one final effort to reach an agreement with employers. Unfortunately, those last-ditch negotiations leading up to the Oct. 21 deadline failed to provide a breakthrough. On Oct. 24, members took to the picket line in front of Electronic Arts Productions Inc. in Los Angeles. More than 300 people, including members of AFM Local 47 and WGA West, Teamsters Local 399, Actors' Equity and the Association of Flight Attendants turned out to support the strike. Performer Phil LaMarr addressed the employers: "Video games are entertainment. You're part of the entertainment industry now. It's time to play by the same rules. You want to use the pool of professional artists that every other [company in] the entertainment industry uses, this is how you do it." LaMarr also thanked everyone who came to show their solidarity. "What takes guts, what takes effort, is coming out here and standing up for your rights and standing up for your contract." On Nov. 3, members picketed WB Games Inc. and VoiceWorks Productions Inc. in Burbank. Turnout was strong, with about 400 members and supporters showing up to demand a fair contract. At press time the strike continues. 32 SAG-AFTRA | Fall 2016 | SAGAFTRA.org SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, members and supporters picket Electronic Arts Productions Inc. on Oct. 24

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