SAG-AFTRA National Board Gives Duncan Crabtree-Ireland Power To Call Strike Against Video Game Companies: “Time Is Running Out”

Voice actors may be one step closer to hitting the picket lines after the SAG-AFTRA National Board put the power to call a strike in the hands of National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.

Teamsters Extend Talks With AMPTP Into Next Week; Two Sides Still "Far Apart" As Contract Expiration Nears

On Saturday, the board voted unanimously to allow Crabtree-Ireland to call the strike on services under the Interactive Media Agreement, 10 months after the union’s initial strike authorization vote . Usually, the National Board retains the power to eventually call the work stoppage, making a transfer of power notable.

Any potential strike would be “effective at a time and date to be determined” by Crabtree-Ireland with advance and consent from the National Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee.

It’s been nearly two years since the Interactive Media Agreement was extended beyond its original expiration date to accommodate more talks between the union and the video game companies. Bargaining has continued on-and-off for that length of time. The union said Saturday that, while negotiations are currently ongoing, the parties “remain far apart” on artificial intelligence provisions.

“Our resolve is unwavering and should not be tested. Our membership voted more than 98% yes to authorize a strike of this contract should the employers not come to the table with a deal that includes our critical provisions — especially in A.I. We are steadfast in our commitment to our membership who work this contract and whose extraordinary performances are the heart and soul of the world’s most popular video games. Time is running out for the companies to make a deal,” Crabtree-Ireland said in a statement.

IATSE Ratifies New 3-Year Deal With AMPTP

In March, Crabtree-Ireland said chances were “at least 50/50, if not more likely, that we end up going on strike…in the next four to six weeks because of the inability to get past these basic AI issues.”

That, obviously, didn’t happen. However, this latest move certainly puts some pressure on the situation, as a strike could be imminent. SAG-AFTRA’s last strike against the gaming companies, in 2016-17, lasted 183 days.

The 10 companies facing a possible strike are:

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.

'Jimmy Kimmel Live' Once Again Aims To Help Working Actors Get Health Insurance With New Casting Notice