Who's On Strike Now? - November 2024 Edition
*To look up unfamiliar terms, check out our Hollywood Glossary.
By Natalie Lifson, Agent Trainee at Buchwald and your co-Editor-in-Chief at THA
Image from SAG-AFTRA
Who’s on Strike Now?
Over the past few months, we’ve reported on one strike (SAG-AFTRA x Video Game Companies) and one negotiation (The Animation Guild x The AMPTP), both of which are still ongoing.
If you’re unfamiliar with any terms we mention, see our Hollywood Glossary.
Read on for more information on this month’s major union strikes and negotiations:
SAG-AFTRA x Video Game Companies - Currently On Strike
In August and September we reported on SAG-AFTRA’s strike against 10 major video companies after failed attempts to renegotiate their Interactive Media Agreement.
On October 15th, SAG-AFTRA and Video Game Companies held contract talks for the first time since the strike began in July.
The SAG-AFTRA priorities that video game companies are not willing to compromise on remain:
Compensation undercut by inflation
Unregulated use of AI and safety
Crabtree-Ireland released a statement saying, “The video game industry generates billions of dollars in profit annually. The driving force behind that success is the creative people who design and create those games. That includes the SAG-AFTRA members who bring memorable and beloved game characters to life, and they deserve and demand the same fundamental protections as performers in film, television, streaming, and music: fair compensation and the right of informed consent for the A.I. use of their faces, voices, and bodies.”
The last time SAG-AFTRA went on strike against video companies in 2016-17, it lasted 183 days.
Timeline:
November 2022: The Interactive Media Agreement between SAG-AFTRA and video game companies expired. Since then, it has been extended multiple times to allow for continued negotiations. -Deadline
September 25, 2023: SAG-AFTRA Members Vote Overwhelmingly To Authorize Strike Against Video Game Industry -Deadline
August 27: SAG-AFTRA Wins Passage of California Bill to Limit AI Replicas -THR
September 4: SAG-AFTRA Says 80 Video Games Signed to Deals During Strike Against Major Studios -THR
September 7: Video Game Strike Solidarity at the 2024 NYC Labor Day Parade: Striking video game performers and other supporters from SAG-AFTRA joined the New York City Central Labor Council Labor Day Parade and March. -SAG-AFTRA
October 15:
SAG-AFTRA, Video Game Companies to Hold Contract Talks for First Time Since Actors Strike Called -Variety
SAG-AFTRA’s Duncan Crabtree-Ireland on Potential for Video Game Publisher Holiday Season Boycott Amid Strike: ‘It’s a Tool That’s in Our Toolkit’ -Variety
““It’s a tool that’s in our toolkit,” SAG-AFTRA executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland told Variety. “These businesses run on both supply and demand. And yes, we’ve disrupted the supply of labor to produce those projects, but we haven’t even begun to seriously disrupt the demand. And the holiday period is a particularly effective time, if we were to choose to do that, to deploy a campaign like that.”
October 26: Video Game Actors Strike Continues as SAG-AFTRA Extends Contract Negotiations -Variety
Animation Guild x AMPTP - in negotiations: Deadline Extended to December 2nd
In August, the Animation Guild (IATSE Local 80), which represents more than 5,000 animation workers, began negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
Although they made progress in September and October negotiations, both sides ultimately decided they needed more time to negotiate and agreed to extend their Master Agreement.
They will reconvene to continue negotiations the week of November 18th, 2024. The current deadline (which has been extended multiple times) is December 2nd.
According to an Animation Guild memo released on September 20th, “the top priorities discussed included:
Artificial Intelligence: Addressing the rapidly evolving use of Generative AI technology and the need for protections that safeguard workers’ jobs.
Job Insecurity and Subcontracting: Ensuring stable employment opportunities across the industry.
Craft-Specific Issues: Proposals aimed at improving working conditions for CG artists, storyboard artists, writers, and designers.
Streaming Sideletter: Updating outdated streaming agreements so animation workers can receive fair compensation for their contributions.
Financial Considerations: Wage increases and contributions to the Motion Picture Health and Pension Fund that impact the financial wellbeing of animation workers.”
Guild President Jeanette Moreno King released a statement saying, “As we continue these negotiations, it's crucial that we keep our focus on what matters most: protecting the livelihoods of our members and ensuring the animation industry thrives. By addressing these priorities—such as job security, fair wages, and the responsible use of AI—we are not only standing up for our present needs but also safeguarding the future of animation for generations to come.”
The Timeline:
January 2024: The Animation Guild “partnered with CAA and CVI Economics earlier this year to conduct a gen AI impact study, which found that the tech could potentially disrupt 29% of animation jobs.” -Animation Magazine
July 30: With less than two weeks to go until negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) begin on August 12, The Animation Guild (TAG) has issued a statement highlighting key issues impacting its members. The labor org points out that despite the contributions of animation workers to keeping the entertainment industry afloat during COVID-19 shut-downs, they continue to face threats to sustainable employment. -Animation Magazine
August 10: Animation Guild Fires Up Members at Pre-Negotiations Rally: “We’re Going to Win Our Industry Back” -THR
“The Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) organized the event before it heads into bargaining over a new three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers that will tackle hot-button issues like AI and outsourcing.”
August 12: Negotiations begin.
August 15: As AI Encroaches on Hollywood, Animators Say This Is An Existential Moment -THR
“As the 5,000-strong Animation Guild starts negotiations with studios, outsourcing jobs and AI are the major points of contention.”
August 16: The Animation Guild and Studios Do Not Reach an Agreement, Add Negotiating Dates in September -THR
“The union, which has prioritized tackling AI and outsourcing in talks with Hollywood companies, previously set a Friday deadline to conclude talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.”
September 12: “Days away from the resumption of contract negotiations that will help determine how animation firms can use generative artificial intelligence in the next few years, the Animation Guild has released a report detailing the threat that the technology poses to its members: Critical Crossroads: The Impact of Generative AI and the Importance of Protecting the Animation Workforce.” -THR, 9/12
September 20: The Animation Guild and AMPTP extend their agreement through November 1st, 2024 to give them more time to negotiate. -TAG
October 25: “Animation Guild & AMPTP “Trying To Find Some Common Ground” As Negotiations Restart Next Week” -Deadline
October 28 - 29: “Members of the The Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) Negotiations Committee met with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to address key issues in ongoing contract discussions.” -Animation Magazine
“The committee focused on member priorities, including staffing minimums, retaining union jobs and implementing common-sense guardrails for generative AI use.”
They extended the deadline to December 2nd and set new dates to resume contract negotiations in November.
October 30: The Animation Guild and Studios Schedule New Dates in Pivotal Negotiations. -THR
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