April 28^th, 2005 (5:25pm) - Members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) have authorized their unions to strike video game producers if negotiators can’t agree to new contracts. The bargainers are scheduled to go back to the table on Mon., May 9.

"In the event that producers and publishers do not agree to fair and equitable contracts, a work stoppage may become necessary," SAG and AFTRA stated in a press release issued Wednesday. "Accordingly, the unions sought and secured a strike authorization from the members present. SAG members voted 98% to 2% and AFTRA members voted 95% to 5% in favor of providing an authorization to strike, if necessary. In AFTRA’s case, an additional vote among affected members will be taken to affirm the strike authorization."

The unions have not revealed how many members work (or how much money they earn) under the interactive media pacts. The negotiations have been conducted under a press blackout, so the unions are revealing only limited information through press releases.

SAG and AFTRA are in the midst of extended talks with a group of video game producers on new agreements covering interactive media. The unions and the producers have extended their current pacts to May 13, the third extension so far. Electronic Arts (EA) is leading the coalition of video game makers.