Actors, and now video game voice and motion capture actors might be next when it comes to striking for better working conditions. The SAG-AFTRA National Board voted unanimously to send a strike authorization vote to its members. The tactic is to help with the union’s forthcoming bargaining dates with video companies including:

• Activision Productions Inc.,
• Blindlight LLC,
• Disney Character Voices Inc.,
• Electronic Arts Productions Inc.,
• Epic Games, Inc.,
• Formosa Interactive LLC,
• Insomniac Games Inc.,
• Take 2 Productions Inc.,
• VoiceWorks Productions Inc., and
• WB Games Inc.

The current contract has been extended a year beyond the original experation date. Over that time, negotiations haven’t met the terms SAG-AFTRA is seeking for its members. Bargaining will resume on September 26th.

Being negotiated is increased wages to keep up with inflation and the use of artificial intelligence. Video games use “performance capture” and the unregulated use of AI could pose a threat to those performing artists. There is a fight for informed consent and payment for the creation and use of digital replicas and training AI on members’ performances.

When it comes to wage increaes, SAG-AFTRA is looking to get similar increases as it is seeking for peformers in the film and television industry. That includes an 11% retroactive to expiration and 4% increase in the second and third years of the agreement to keep up with inflation.

Also being asked is for on-camera performers to have the same five-minutes-per-hour rest period that off-camera performers receive. Also in negotiations is a medic present when stunts or hazardous work is peformed, just like with film and telvision. It’d also prohibit stunts on self-taped auditions. Also being asked for is for vocal stress protections.

If members vote to authorize a strike, it doesn’t initiate one. It permits the National Board to declare one if the video game companies don’t negotiate fairly.

Voting by members will close on September 25th.