UK Actors' Union Equity Supports SAG-AFTRA Strike but Won't Join

UK actors' union Equity stands "in solidarity" with SAG-AFTRA but won't authorise its own strike

"We urge the industry to work with the union so that we can resolve these ongoing issues." UK actors' union Equity stands "in solidarity" with SAG-AFTRA following news of a strike, though won't be authorising a strike itself. Yesterday, the US actors' union announced a strike after failing to reach a deal with major video game companies over the use of AI following "more than a year and a half of negotiations". "Equity stands in total solidarity with SAG-AFTRA who have taken the brave decision to authorise a strike against US video games companies," reads a statement from Equity assistant general secretary John Barclay. "Voice and performance capture artists are a vital part of this multibillion-dollar industry, bringing to life characters that make games successful. We stand shoulder to shoulder with SAG-AFTRA as partners in a global fight to secure fair pay and protect our members' rights, which could not be more urgent as we move forward with artificial intelligence innovation. "In light of the strike authorisation, it is incumbent on the studios, producers and game developers that are operating in the UK to be transparent with performers and inform our members if they are commissioning work for a struck company. Excessive non-disclosure agreements should not be used to undermine the bargaining position of the creative workforce." Equity is "very concerned about the lack of safeguards to protect performers in the unregulated world of AI alongside our members' health and safety, which is not always being taken seriously". Barclay then states the games industry benefits "hugely" from tax relief in the UK. "In 2022, nearly £200m was paid to games companies in tax relief, and a total of £830m has been paid out since 2014," he says. "Despite this huge financial gain to games companies, pay has stagnated and does not reflect our members' valuable contribution. "Equity remains committed to constructive dialogue with voice studios, performance capture studios, publishers, developers and trade bodies and we urge the industry to work with the union so that we can resolve these ongoing issues." So why isn't Equity also striking? In an FAQ following the statement, Equity explains that "industrial relations legislation in the United Kingdom is very restrictive" and the "employment status of Equity members makes it even more difficult to overcome those hurdles in this context". It continues: "Crucially, Equity does not have a collectively bargained agreement with the major UK video games vendors, which means we are not able to enter into a formal dispute like our sister union. The union has worked hard to try and establish collective agreements in the video games industry for many years, but we have faced ongoing resistance from the industry. The lack of collective agreements for video games stands in stark contrast to the UK film and TV industry, where collective bargaining is the norm." Instead, Equity is working on its own programme to protect the rights of performers. Last year, Equity released its "ground-breaking AI toolkit" and called for urgent government action against what it calls "performance cloning". Another wrinkle detailed in the FAQ is that SAG-AFTRA members contracted to work in the UK for a struck company are unable to go on strike due to UK law. "As the strike has been authorised under legislation in the United States but is not lawful under United Kingdom legislation, you have no protection against being dismissed or sued for breach of contract by the producer or your engager if you take strike action or refuse to cross a picket," it reads. "SAG-AFTRA's dispute is not lawful under United Kingdom law. Whilst we stand in solidary, this is not an Equity dispute, and you are free to accept work."

Equity Stands in "Total Solidarity" with Sister Union SAG-AFTRA Amid Video Game Strike

The British sister union of SAG-AFTRA is standing in "total solidarity" with their U.S. counterparts after a strike was called against major video game studios. SAG-AFTRA had been in talks over a new contract agreement for close to two years. It would cover voice and performance capture workers on titles from Disney Character Voices, Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Warner Bros. Games, Insomniac Games and more. But an impasse over artificial intelligence concerns has resulted in industrial action. "We're not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse AI to the detriment of our members. Enough is enough," stated SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher. "When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live -- and work -- with, we will be here, ready to negotiate." Now, Equity, the U.K's performing arts and entertainment trade union, has weighed in. Made up of 50,000 actors, singers, dancers, designers, directors, comedians, and more, the union boasts Olivia Colman, Brian Cox and Judi Dench among its members and trustees. Ninety-five percent of film, TV and theater made in the U.K., even American productions, are made on Equity agreements. "Equity stands in total solidarity with SAG-AFTRA who have taken the brave decision to authorize a strike against U.S. video games companies. Voice and performance capture artists are a vital part of this multibillion-dollar industry, bringing to life characters that make games successful," said Equity's assistant general secretary John Barclay on Friday. "We stand shoulder to shoulder with SAG-AFTRA as partners in a global fight to secure fair pay and protect our members' rights, which could not be more urgent as we move forward with artificial intelligence innovation." Barclay added that in light of the strike authorization across the Atlantic, studios, producers, and game developers in the U.K. should be operating more transparently with performers. "Like our sister union, Equity is very concerned about the lack of safeguards to protect performers in the unregulated world of AI alongside our members' health and safety, which is not always being taken seriously." In 2022, nearly £200 million ($257m) was paid to games companies in tax relief, with a total of £830 million ($1bn) paid out since 2014. Despite the financial game, Barclay says pay has stagnated alongside vast industry growth. "Equity remains committed to constructive dialogue with voice studios, performance capture studios, publishers, developers and trade bodies and we urge the industry to work with the union so that we can resolve these ongoing issues." It has only been around eight months since the conclusion of SAG-AFTRA's historic 118-day actors strike against the major studios over a new three-year TV/Theatrical contract. The December ratification was valued by the union at $1 billion.