Jennifer Hale said voice actors are “relieved to have the freedom to work again” as SAG-AFTRA strike ends.
The newly agreed terms of the Interactive Media Agreement between SAG-AFTRA and the video game industry represent “an enormous effort on both sides and a real desire to move forward in a constructive way”, said voice actor Jennifer Hale.
Speaking to Eurogamer, Hale (known for her roles in Ratchet and Clank, Mass Effect, Metroid Prime and more) said she has “deep appreciation and respect for both sides of this equation”, and the voice acting community is “relieved to have the freedom to work again”.
Earlier this week, US actors’ union SAG-AFTRA reached a tentative agreement after almost a year on strike over the need to protect performers from AI abuse. The union then instructed its members to return to work, effectively ending the strike.
Yesterday, SAG-AFTRA approved the new agreement and provided details on its terms. The contract will now be submitted to the membership for ratification.
SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland previously stated the “necessary AI guardrails” have been put in place. We now know this includes the requirement of informed consent across AI uses, as well as compensation gains including collectively-bargained minimums for the use of “Digital Replicas”, higher minimums for “Real Time Generation” (such as a chatbot), and “Secondary Performance Payments” when visual performances are re-used in another game.
Other parts of the agreement include increases in performer compensation and overtime rates, an increase in health and retirement contributions to the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan, as well as safety provisions such as the requirement for a qualified medical professional to be present at rehearsals and performances during planned hazardous actions, and the provision of appropriate rest periods.
The full terms of the agreement will be released on 18th June once the agreement is ratified.
“I’m really happy with the gains that were made in this tentative agreement”, Hale told Eurogamer following this week’s news. “I think it represents an enormous effort on both sides and a real desire to move forward in a constructive way that takes care of both performers and the people who put the work together.
