SAG-AFTRA Members Authorize Strike Against Video Game Industry

Members of SAG-AFTRA have voted overwhelmingly to give their leaders the authority to call a strike against the video game industry, which is expected to rake in more than $20 billion this year in the U.S. alone. The strike-authorization vote comes after negotiations for a new contract broke off in June 2015.

The vote doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s going to be a strike, but it gives union leaders a powerful bargaining chip when they return to the table. If future talks fail to produce an agreement, leaders would be able to call a strike without another vote.

The strike authorization was approved by 96.5% of those voting, though only those who had worked under the union’s Interactive Media contract were eligible to cast ballots, and the union isn’t saying how many voted.

For more information, read the David Robb article in Deadline by clicking here.