But the guild has not yet called for a strike authorization vote, a step it would have to talk before launching a walkout that would cripple the entertainment industry . The only statement since then was one saying the talks would continue at noon. The guild's 11,000 writers want a higher guaranteed minimum payment and a bigger cut of studio profits, including residuals, or the money writers get when a show is broadcast, rebroadcast or rented. In another seemingly positive development, the Guild has still not called for a strike authorization vote, a step that must be taken before a walkout begins. The industry is already having trouble.
Fewer people go to the movies, and television advertising is down.
The last thing the networks want is to disappoint viewers in the fall. The prime reason is that the networks would be forced to air reruns, up to one-third of the programming on a given network. So even while trying to avoid a strike, the networks are prepared. There also might be additional hours of newsmagazines, and still plenty of questions on ABC for would-be millionaires. But playing that game could cost the industry billions of dollars.