SAG-AFTRA members vote in favour of agreement, strike officially ends

SAG-AFTRA members have voted in favour of the 2025 SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Video Game Agreement, with 95.04% approving the deal and subsequently ending the video game strike.

The new agreement will see pay rises at a rate of 15.17% as it goes into effect, with an additional 3% increase over the next three years starting in November 2025. The maximum overtime rate for overscale performers is now based on a double scale.

Health and retirement contributions to the AFTRA Retirement Fund will be raised from 16.5% to 17%, followed by another increase to 17.5% in October 2026.

As noted by the union, “safety guardrails and gains around AI” have been put in place, including “consent and disclosure requirements for AI digital replica use and the ability for performers to suspend consent for the generation of new material during a strike”.

“All of us at SAG-AFTRA would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the video game performers and allies who endured a great deal of sacrifice throughout the 11-month strike,” said SAG-AFTRA national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.

“I’d also like to express my sincerest gratitude to the Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee and its chair, Sarah Elmaleh, who have worked tirelessly for nearly three years in order to achieve these necessary gains and protections alongside our negotiating staff and lead negotiator Ray Rodriguez.”

He continued: “Now that agreement is ratified, video game performers will be able to enjoy meaningful gains and important AI protections, which we will continue to build on as uses of this technology settle and evolve.”

Audrey Cooling, spokesperson on behalf of video game producers party to the agreement, added: “We are pleased that SAG-AFTRA members have ratified a new Interactive Media Agreement, which delivers historic wage increases, industry-leading AI protections, and enhanced health and safety measures for performers.

“We look forward to building on our industry’s decades-long partnership with the union and continuing to create groundbreaking entertainment experiences for billions of players worldwide.”

In September 2023, 98% of SAG-AFTRA members voted to authorise a strike against publishers including Activision Productions, EA Productions, Insomniac Games, and Take 2 Productions to protect performers against AI and to ensure job security.

Last month, SAG-AFTRA’s national board approved the tentative agreement with the convenience bargaining group for its Interactive Media Contract.