Disagreements over worker protections against AI technology have led to the recent SAG-AFTRA strike.
The SAG-AFTRA strike comes following the guild’s negotiations with video games, preventing over 160,000 SAG-AFTRA members from participating in new video game projects.
The strike is set to delay major games from publishers such as Activision Blizzard, Insomniac Games, and much more.
But why are these strikes important? And what are the recurring issues?
What is SAG-AFTRA?
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists is a labour union that represents media professionals worldwide. This includes actors, voice actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, writers, editors, singers, stunt performers, and much more.
The union was formed in March 2012 thanks to the merging of two major unions – SAG established in 1933 and AFTRA established in 1937. They now collectively bargain with AMPTP, who represent studios, production companies, and streaming services.
If you are a member of the SAG-AFTRA union, you receive protections on things such as pay, residuals, and working conditions. This is where a SAG-AFTRA strike can come in.
Why start a SAG-AFTRA Strike?
Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have transformed the media landscape, which has led to significant changes in actors’ pay.
With declining residuals, wages lagging behind inflation, and fewer royalty payments from reruns, actors are facing financial challenges.
The major point of contention is the unregulated use of AI, which could replicate an actor’s voice and likeness to perform for cheaper. SAG members have demanded clear regulations around the usage of AI in video games by studios but were unhappy with negotiations.
Therefore, SAG members voted to authorise strike action if no deal was reached by the contract renewal deadline.
What is the SAG-AFTRA Strike Rules?
SAG have stated that, “All SAG-AFTRA members shall cease rendering all services and performing all work covered by the IMA.”
This includes a very long list of what media professionals can and cannot do, including:
- Acting
- Singing
- Dancing
- Voice acting
- Auditions
- Promote struck games
The full list of dos and don’ts can be found on the SAG-AFTRA website.
Have SAG-AFTRA gone on strike before?
SAG and AFTRA have gone on strike many times before, both before and after merging. Here’s a timeline of all the well-known SAG-AFTRA strikes:
1952 SAG Strike
The first SAG strike was in 1952, dealing with residual issues for films sold to television which was a growing concern at the time due to the surge of TV.
It was led by former president Ronald Reagan – years before he would take on the position of POTUS!
The strike lasted 52 days and ended with actors receiving ongoing compensation for the reuse of their work in a new and increasingly popular sector.
The 1952 SAG strike would also give the guild a higher bargaining power, setting the scene for future negotiations involving the new form of media distribution.
1960 SAG & WGA Strike
SAG’s next strike in 1960 happened alongside the Writers Guild of America (WGA) workers in a joint walkout against production studios.
WGA began striking in January of 1960, demanding better compensation and residuals when their work was shown on television.
Months later in March of 1960, SAG began their own strike over residuals for films sold to television networks – resulting in the first joint strike in Hollywood history.
The joint 1960 strike is iconic, resulting in SAG receiving a one-time payment that enabled the union to create a pension and health plan for its members. Meanwhile, WGA were able to receive the first residuals for theatrical motion pictures.
The strike would also become well-known for halting production on feature films such as Marilyn Monroe’s Let’s Make Love and Elizabeth Taylor’s Butterfield 8.
1967 AFTRA Strike
AFTRA would go on strike next in 1967 following issues with television and radio performers seeking better pay.
The strike would last for 13 days and eventually resulted in improved residual payments for actors that had work being rebroadcast.
The action would also allow for wage increases and better working conditions such as length of workdays and production turnaround times.
1978/79 SAG & AFTRA Strike
This strike would see the first joint action between SAG and AFTRA, years before their merge.
The 1978/79 strike was one of the longest in the industry’s history, lasting 95 days.
The primary issue was securing residual payments for content not only aired on television but also sold on videocassettes – a new distribution method at the time.
This strike would also see the first recognition of how new technology could impact actor revenue, thanks to the rise in home video creating.
SAG and AFTRA successfully secured better residuals for pay TV and home video sales, helping to ensure performers continued to receive payments for their work in emerging media formats.
2000 SAG Commercial Strike
Almost two decades later, SAG would begin the longest strike in the history of Hollywood.
Lasting 182 days, the SAG Commercial Strike focused on better working conditions and pay for actors in commercials.
Day after day of demonstrations and pickets were held, with Tom Hanks even becoming a keynote speaker at a rally in Wilshire Boulevard.
Actor Cynthia Steele explained further, “The strike was an endless picket every single day. You’d be asking, ‘Are you going to Nestle or AT&T and I’ll go if you go.’ It was my contract, so I felt like a mama bear about it.”
The strike would see the preservation of Class A for broadcast TV and boost cable residuals for actors by 140%.
2023 SAG-AFTRA Strike
One of the most critical strikes in recent years, the 2023 SAG-AFTRA Strike, fought for protection against AI technology from studios and production companies – like the 2024 strike.
Iconic actors such as Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus signed a letter to the guild stating that they would strike to achieve a “transformative deal.”
After 118 days, SAG-AFTRA would come to an agreement with studios. Actors now had clear language in their contracts prohibiting production companies from using AI against them and improve residual payments for streaming content on digital platforms.
Conclusion
As a voice actor, it’s important to understand the history of SAG-AFTRA strikes within the industry.
From the pivotal 1952 strike that first established residuals for TV to the 2023 strike addressing AI usage, each action has been a testament to the union’s commitment to securing fair compensation and protection for its members.
As the entertainment industry evolves, the SAG-AFTRA union’s commitment to its members remains crucial to help shape a fair future for all performers.
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