SAG-AFTRA officially ends its nearly year-long strike after protracted industrial action

The union representing a vast array of media professionals, SAG-AFTRA, has stopped its industrial action after a nearly year-long duration of strikes. This move involves 160,000 members including actors and voiceover artists.

After failing to negotiate an agreement with a convenience bargaining group over concerns regarding the industry's foray into AI technologies, the union had initially decided to strike in late July 2024. Earlier this March, SAG-AFTRA expressed significant distance from video game firms post claims by two Zenless Zone Zero voice actors about being replaced over their participation in the strikes.

A resolution seems near as the union disclosed yesterday that it has brokered a preliminary agreement with the bargaining party. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the national executive director and lead negotiator, has ended the strike involving those bound by the Interactive Media Agreement, effective from noon Pacific Time today, June 11.

SAG-AFTRA members have been directed to resume their roles on productions beneath the Interactive Media Agreement, which also includes promotional activities for these projects. A special session meeting by the board is scheduled for June 10 to deliberate on this tentative deal.

The union noted that post-approval, this agreement will head to their members for ratification as per their policies. Details of this agreement will be unveiled subsequently.

Moreover, an unfair labor practice complaint was lodged by SAG-AFTRA against Llama Productions and Epic Games for the utilization of AI in depicting Darth Vader in Fortnite.