Hollywood's major actors' union Sunday decided to request a federal mediator for its labor contract talks with studios, and to seek strike authorization from its members if mediation fails.

The National Board of Directors of the 12,000-member Screen Actors Guild (SAG) almost unanimously voted for the action at a meeting here, "in hopes of moving the theatrical and TV negotiations forward," according to an SAG statement.

A strike authorization, which requires the approval of 75 percent of members who vote, would give the executive board the power to declare a strike if the mediation fails.

"We hope mediation will help move this process forward," said SAG President Alan Rosenberg.

"This action by the board demonstrates our commitment to bargain with the strength of our unified membership behind us," he said.

Meanwhile, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents major studios and television networks in the contract negotiations, said Sunday that it will not budge from its final offer.

The group said its offer would increase pay to actors by a total of 250 million dollars and increase residuals for new media, especially while the economy has gone sour.

AMPTP said it has successfully negotiated four major labor pacts with Hollywood guilds earlier this year, and SAG should not expect a deal that is in excess of what the other guilds negotiated in better economic times.

"No matter what SAG does, whether it be authorizing a strike or following a different approach, it will not change the harsh reality that currently confronts our industry," said the AMPTP statement.

Representatives from SAG and AMPTP had negotiated for 44 days without reaching a new contract to replace the previous one that expired June 30.

(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2008)