I wish it weren't that way. NYPD Blue writer Stephen Bochco said he believes a deal will be reached at the last minute. From a negotiating standpoint, everybody takes positions now they're prepared to come off from later. Somewhere between the two extremes, there's a reality that will accommodate a deal. He also warned that the dispute could take on a life of its own.
People get angry.
They lose sight of the issues, and it becomes about testicles. At that point, there's no telling what could happen. It's hard to understand why no one seems to be concerned with concluding this beforehand. These people are all businessmen. A second strike involving 135,000 actors could take place two months later if a separate dispute between the Screen Actors' Guild and the producers is not resolved.