This is good news for the industry as nobody wanted issues with all that is going on in the world.
SAG-AFTRA and some of the industry’s largest video game employers have agreed to a two-year extension of the 2017 Interactive Media Agreement that provides a boost to wages and health and retirement contributions for voiceover and performance capture performers. The extension takes effect Nov. 8, 2020, and extends to Nov. 7, 2022.
“We are pleased to have reached this agreement with the employers. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the entertainment industry, but work on video games, much of which can be done remotely, has continued. This extension allows members to keep working and have some certainty during an uncertain time,” said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris.
Under the extension, which was agreed to earlier this year, wages will increase 3% per year and health and retirement contributions will increase 0.5%. The nine employers that are party to the agreement are Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Take 2 Productions Inc., VoiceWorks Productions Inc. and WB Games Inc.
The Interactive Media Agreement Standing Committee, chaired by voice actor Keythe Farley, unanimously approved the contract extension, and it was subsequently unanimously approved by the Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the National Board. SAG-AFTRA Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez served as lead negotiator.
“Rather than enter full-scale negotiations, the committee proposed extending the 2017 agreement. The compensation increases and benefit enhancements allow us to sustain the growth in earnings for members,” said Rodriguez.
