Fact check: The SAG-AFTRA VA strike of 2016 - 2017 did not end well for the Voice Actors.

1. Summary of the results

The statement that the strike "did not end well" for voice actors is partially accurate but requires nuance. While the strike resulted in some improvements, it fell significantly short of the union's primary objectives:

• The strike ended with a compromise that included a bonus payment structure ranging from $75 to $2,100 based on recording sessions, rather than the desired residual payments ^[1]
• 90% of voting union members approved the deal, though this represented only a small portion of total membership ^[2]
• The agreement included improved project transparency and increased session compensation ^[3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement omits several crucial pieces of context:

• This was the longest acting strike in US history ^[4]
• SAG-AFTRA leadership viewed the outcome differently, with President Gabrielle Carteris calling it an "important advance" ^[1]
• The strike had immediate industry impact, forcing some publishers to use non-union talent during the dispute ^[4]
• The aftermath continues to influence current labor relations, as SAG-AFTRA is preparing for potential strike action in 2025, seeking wage increases, AI protections, and better working conditions ^[5]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement oversimplifies a complex outcome:

• While voice actors were indeed critical of the final agreement ^[2], the deal did secure some meaningful improvements in terms of transparency and compensation ^[3]
• The statement ignores the perspective of game companies and union leadership, who viewed the outcome more positively ^[1]
• The high approval rate (90%) might suggest more satisfaction than the statement implies, though this number needs to be contextualized by the low voter turnout ^[2]

Different stakeholders had varying interpretations of the outcome:

• Voice actors and union members viewed it as a disappointment
• Union leadership presented it as a victory
• Game companies maintained their position against residuals while making some concessions
• The ongoing preparations for new strike actions in 2025 suggest that fundamental issues remain unresolved ^[5]