User blog:ARTaylor/Voice Actors May Go On Strike

Your favorite voices may be going on strike over contract terms between video game publishers in the entertainment industry and voice actors. SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors both live and voice, is considering a strike to force the matter. The biggest issue regards "back end bonuses," in which actors receive lower upfront fees in exchange for a percentage of the gross profits.

The union proposal says that actors would not receive bonus payments until a game sells two million units, capping off at eight million units, in an effort to protect smaller developers and helping actors earn money for blockbuster games. They are also looking for stunt pay for vocally stressful situations and stunt coordinators for motion capture. They object to publishers who hire their own employees who are not part of the union.

Intense talks have been going on this whole year, with the two sides meeting twice without a resolution. SAG-AFTRA is now taking a vote on whether to strike or not. They would need seventy-five percent of the voting members to approve the action. If they did, actors would not work during the strike while also asking non-members to also strike as a sign of unity. The union suggests that proposals put forward by publishers including Activision, Disney, EA, and WB Games may not be legal. A strike vote would result in shifting the power dynamic.

This would have a large effect upon the video game industry, where many aspects do not have union representation. Though this would cause immediate delays in upcoming projects.

Many voice actors have voiced their support including Phil LaMarr, Jennifer Hale, Steven Blum, Steve Downes, Hynden Walch, David Hayter, Jason Marsden, Cree Summer, Tara Strong, and many others.