7:05 a.m. - Actors Union Strike?
By: Import User
Updated: October 2, 2008
Television and film actors are turning up the pressure on Hollywood's major studios. Negotiators for the actors Wednesday sought backing to put a strike authorization vote to guild members after frustration over stalled labor talks with producers.
Contract negotiators for the Screen Actors Guild passed a resolution asking for the endorsement of SAG's national board. They want SAG's national board to allow guild members to vote on whether to call a work stoppage.
If it happens, it would be the second strike this year by the largest actors union. The Screen Actors Guild currently has about 120-thousand members.
In response, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers challenged SAG, asking, quote, "Is this really the time for anyone in the entertainment business to be talking about going on strike?" The Alliance represents major television and movie studios.
A strike authorization vote doesn't authorize a work stoppage, but does give union leaders leverage in the contract talks that stalled in July.
