It’s been just about a year since the voice actors’ strike began, and the negotiations between studios and SAG-AFTRA (the union representing the actors) have spilled once more into the public sphere. Variety has published what the studios are putting forth as their “best and last offer” while SAG-AFTRA has already responded with a counteroffer. And the main point of contention here is still the objections over the use of generative AI; SAG-AFTRA specifically calls out that while many points that led to the strike have been addressed, the new agreement has not actually addressed protections against generative AI used for voice work.
If you’re wondering why this doesn’t seem to be affecting the entire industry, it’s specifically because the strike isn’t universal; it’s directed at specific companies and a general state of negotiation. The negotiations being moved into the public eye definitely seems to be in the hopes of more attention pressuring one side or the other to capitulate, but for now, it seems that there has been progress made – just not on the most concerning problem facing actors.
