Just under a year ago the SAG-AFTRA union went on strike after it failed to reach an agreement with video game companies over demands for the welfare of voice actors, including issues related to pay and health. On Saturday a tentative agreement between representatives of the SAG-AFTRA union and the video game industry was reached, which addressed these concerns.
First of all a bonus structure has been outlined where performers would get an additional payment of $75 of the first session, and up to $2100 following ten recording sessions. Additionally these payments would have to be paid before or on the release date of the game they worked on. On top of that a new provision for transparency has also been put forward in the amended contract.
This transparency would allow actors to know the code name of the project, the genre, whether the game in question is already part of an established franchise, and whether the actor is reprising a role they played before. This transparency will also allow actors to know whether the role will include work of a controversial nature, including the use of offensive slurs. When it comes to vocal stress where the union sought sessions being dropped from fours hours to two there has been no agreement reached, though both parties are working on a solution.
The proposed contract has not passed yet but will be either accepted or rejected in October when the board of the union meets.
Source: SAG-AFTRA
