Solidarity Statement & Advice Regarding SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Industrial Action 2024

Solidarity Statement & Advice Regarding SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Industrial Action 2024

Equity is standing in solidarity with sister union SAG-AFTRA after it was announced on 25 July that the American union has called strike action against major video games companies. 

The strike comes after nearly two years of contract talks and will see voice actors and motion capture performers take industrial action over AI protections. 

Equity is in total solidarity with SAG-AFTRA and has provided the below advice and information to members. 

If you want to get involved and stay updated with all the latest news and information then join our Videogames Network. The Videogames Network will be organising within the union to encourage the adoption of best practices, improve pay and conditions, and be responsive to developments in generative AI.

Statement from John Barclay, Assistant General Secretary

“Equity stands in total solidarity with SAG-AFTRA who have taken the brave decision to authorise a strike against US video games companies. Voice and performance capture artists are a vital part of this multibillion-dollar industry, bringing to life characters that make games successful. We stand shoulder to shoulder with SAG-AFTRA as partners in a global fight to secure fair pay and protect our members’ rights, which could not be more urgent as we move forward with artificial intelligence innovation.

“In light of the strike authorisation, it is incumbent on the studios, producers and game developers that are operating in the UK to be transparent with performers and inform our members if they are commissioning work for a struck company. Excessive non-disclosure agreements should not be used to undermine the bargaining position of the creative workforce.

“Like our sister union, Equity is very concerned about the lack of safeguards to protect performers in the unregulated world of AI alongside our members’ health and safety, which is not always being taken seriously. The video games industry benefit hugely from tax relief in the UK. In 2022, nearly £200million was paid to games companies in tax relief, and a total of £830million has been paid out since 2014. Despite this huge financial gain to games companies, pay has stagnated and does not reflect our members’ valuable contribution. Equity remains committed to constructive dialogue with voice studios, performance capture studios, publishers, developers and trade bodies and we urge the industry to work with the union so that we can resolve these ongoing issues." 


 

Advice Concerning SAG-AFTRA Industrial Action:

Here we set out Equity’s advice for members on the strike action based on the most common ways in which they are engaged. The legal part of this guidance is based on the advice we took in July 2023 in relation to SAG-AFTRA’s TV/theatrical/streaming strike action.
 
As in that dispute, the primary legal problem is the restrictive and draconian striking legislation in the United Kingdom, meaning that the framework for our members is different from our comrades in the United States. We were advised by SAG-AFTRA that its TV/theatrical/streaming strike was lawful according to United States law but we were advised by our UK lawyers that it was not lawful under UK law.

The same applies to this games strike. So, a performer joining the SAG-AFTRA strike (or refusing to cross a picket line) in the UK will have no legal protection against being dismissed or sued for breach of contract by the producer or the engager. 

Likewise, if Equity were to encourage anyone to join the strike or not cross a picket line, Equity itself would be acting unlawfully and hence liable for damages or an injunction. What follows is based on that advice from SAG-AFTRA and our lawyers.

Frequently Asked Questions