Actors' unions authorize strike against commercial makers

Board members of two actors unions have authorized a May 1 strike against producers of television and radio commercials.

East Coast board members of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Actors voted unanimously Sunday to reject a final offer from the American Association of Advertising Agencies and the Association of National Advertisers.

The unions' West Coast board members followed suit Tuesday night, also voting unanimously to strike May 1.

The unions' combined membership of about 135,000 had voted in March authorizing the unions to call a strike.

The two sides can't agree on the pay structure for commercials that run on cable networks or on use of commercials on the Internet, the unions said in a statement.

A long strike could mean more reruns of commercials - advertising companies have an inventory of commercials ready to go for the short haul.

If advertisers continue producing commercials during a strike, they would most likely have to use non-union members.

The unions have been working without a contract since March 31. Both sides had agreed to extend the pact while talks continued.