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In these harsh times of downward economic spiraling, many American citizens will retreat to the escapism offered to them by their favorite TV shows or films. If SAG has their way though, those shows and films won't be around for long. The Screen Actors Guild's negotiating committee voted Wednesday to support a strike authorization vote. The recommendation was approved 11-2 and now goes to SAG's national board where it will need approval of 75% of the roughly 120,000 member committee.

The Associated Press quotes Membership First spokeswoman Anne Marie Johnson in saying "'[my] personal opinion is, yes, we will achieve a strike authorization . . . Membership First has always been a strong advocate of having a strike authorization with us while we're negotiating.'" Last month, 87% of the 10,300 actors that responded to a guild survey backed its leaders' decision to hold out for a better deal. The AMPTP called the move "hopelessly one-sided."

The studios have urged the guild not to strike, citing the nation's troubled economy: "'It is unrealistic for SAG negotiators now to expect even better terms during this grim financial climate. This is the harsh economic reality, and no strike will change that reality.'" Last year's WGA strike lasted for 100 days and shut down TV and film production resulting in an estimated $2.5 billion loss to the Los Angeles area economy.

SAG is still holding out for "union coverage of all shows made for the Internet, regardless of budget, and residual payments for actors on made-for-Internet shows that are reused on the Internet. It also demands protections for actors during work stoppages." The AMPTP's chief negotiator, J. Nicholas Counter III, said he declined to resume talks because SAG continues to insist on these terms, despite the fact they've already been rejected.