On Monday, union members voted 98.32 percent in favor of a strike authorization against the video game industry, with 34,687 members casting ballots and representing a percentage of 27.47 percent of eligible voters. While the results do not guarantee a work stoppage will occur, it gives union negotiators the ability to call a strike during ongoing negotiations for a new Interactive Media Agreement if they deem one necessary.

“It’s time for the video game companies to stop playing games and get serious about reaching an agreement on this contract,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “The result of this vote shows our membership understands the existential nature of these negotiations, and that the time is now for these companies — which are making billions of dollars and paying their CEOs lavishly — to give our performers an agreement that keeps performing in video games as a viable career.”