LOS ANGELES — The union representing Hollywood actors is poised to strike and join writers on picket lines in back-to-back walkouts for the first time since 1960, widening the labor conflict that has roiled the film and TV industry.
Despite the involvement of a federal mediator who was brought in at the eleventh hour to help resolve the conflict, groups representing the actors and the studios were unable to agree to a new film and TV contract before a Wednesday night deadline.
By an overwhelming 98%, the union's members previously authorized their leaders to call a strike if they could not secure a new contract to replace one that was originally set to expire June 30.
