08/13/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/14/2024 17:55
SAG-AFTRA has learned that one of the video game companies we're striking against is approaching our members to take non-union performance capture work. While the specific project in question doesn't fall under the strike order, it's important to remember that non-union work is a violation of Global Rule One, which requires that members work under a union contract.
The union takes Global Rule One seriously, and violating it by taking non-union work can result in disciplinary action ranging from reprimands to fines to expulsion. But even more importantly, working non-union undermines your fellow members and weakens our bargaining power - which is especially damaging during a strike.
It was members' unity during the TV/Theatrical/Streaming strike that delivered victory against the most powerful film and television studios in the industry, and we need that same energy to prevail during the video game strike.
As a reminder of what's at stake, these companies want to use generative artificial intelligence to create new performances based on some members' work - without permission or compensation. In essence, they want to use your performance to make you obsolete.
Solidarity is the source of all our power, and members who take non-union work hurt us all. Anyone can anonymously report instances of strike-breaking here.
And finally, it's important to remember that SAG-AFTRA members can continue to work on video games that are signed to one of our Interim Interactive Media or Tiered-Budget Independent Interactive agreements, which contain the A.I. protections that we are asking the larger companies to agree to.
Read more about Global Rule One here.