Actors' union threatens to strike over Internet TV

Another work stoppage by SAG could hit by January. Among other things, the TV actors now seek union protection for all Internet-only productions, regardless of budget.

Less than a year after its earlier work stoppage in January, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) looks likely to go out on strike again, this time strictly over union rights around Internet TV.

The SAG has been negotiating for weeks now with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) through "shuttle diplomacy," with a federal mediator meeting with each side separately. The two groups are finally scheduled to meet face-to-face on Thursday.

The 120,000 TV actors in the SAG are threatening to strike unless they obtain union coverage for all Internet-only productions regardless of budget and residual payments for Internet productions replayed online, along with continued actor protections during work stoppages.

Experts are pessimistic that a deal will be struck in time to avert a strike in time for the TV awards season early next year, according to wire service and trade journal reports.