For six weeks, screenwriters have been on strike in Hollywood and now they can be joined by the American actors' union.
The union SAG-AFTRA (Screen actors guild – American Federation of television and radio artists) members have not called a strike, but the fact that the members voted "yes" gives the union the green light to call a strike if they do not reach a "fair deal", the union writes on its website.
"We hook arms and together we build new contracts that respect what we bring to this great industry," says union president Fran Drescher.
What are the consequences?
Filming on TV shows like "Stranger Things" has been paused during the screenwriters' strike and the Hollywood Reporter writes that a strike among the actors would make it nearly impossible to continue shooting movies and television.
The threat of a strike has also put insurance companies cold feet. The film "The Island" starring Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara has had to be put on hold because it could not be insured under the circumstances.
Why strike?
Like the screenwriters, the actors argue that their remuneration has shrunk due to inflation and the movement of film and television to streaming platforms. There are also concerns about what AI might mean for the industry.
Unless SAG-AFTRA and its counterpart AMPTP (Alliance of motion picture and television producers) do not reach an agreement before June 30, the strike will break out.