4/19/2005
Actors Video Games Strike Averted
Los Angeles, CA, Apr. 18 (UPI) -- A potential strike by actors against video game companies has been averted by a third extension of contract talks, The Hollywood Reporter said Monday.
It had been expected that Friday would be the last day of negotiations, but the paper said both sides agreed instead to take a break from bargaining and return May 13. The Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists are negotiating with a group of major video game publishers on a contract to replace the current agreement, which was scheduled to expire Friday.
The contract originally covered only the Electronic Arts video game company, but some 70 other big game companies have been abiding by its terms.
According to The Reporter, SAG, AFTRA and the video game companies declined to characterize the progress of the current talks, citing an ongoing news blackout.
The major issues being negotiated include residual payments, wages, and pension and health benefits.
It had been expected that Friday would be the last day of negotiations, but the paper said both sides agreed instead to take a break from bargaining and return May 13. The Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists are negotiating with a group of major video game publishers on a contract to replace the current agreement, which was scheduled to expire Friday.
The contract originally covered only the Electronic Arts video game company, but some 70 other big game companies have been abiding by its terms.
According to The Reporter, SAG, AFTRA and the video game companies declined to characterize the progress of the current talks, citing an ongoing news blackout.
The major issues being negotiated include residual payments, wages, and pension and health benefits.
