The possibility of a strike by Hollywood film and TV writers became more of a probability Friday after Writer's Guild members authorized the union to call a strike if no contract agreement is made with studios by the end of October.

More than 90 percent of the members taking part in the authorization vote backed the union's request for advance approval to declare a walkout if negotiators fail to reach a settlement once the current contract expires.

The more than 5,500 ballots cast marks the largest voter turnout ever for the guild, surpassing the 4,100 cast in its 2001 contract ratification, the union said.

"Writers do not want to strike, but they are resolute and prepared to take strong, united action to defend our interests," said Patric M. Verrone, president of the union's western guild. "What we must have is a contract that gives us the ability to keep up with the financial success of this ever-expanding global industry."

The WGA and studios remain sharply divided over union demands for higher "residual" fees, a key source of writers' income for TV and film work that gets reused in such formats as reruns and DVDs after initial broadcast or theatrical release.

The existing three-year contract covering the guild's 12,000 members expires Oct. 31. WGA members could continue working under the terms of the old pact beyond that date if both sides mutually agree to keep negotiating.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios, issued a brief statement saying the outcome was no surprise, adding "Our focus is on negotiating a reasonable agreement with the WGA."

The authorization does not set a deadline for a walkout to begin. It merely empowers the guild's governing board, in consultation with the WGA's negotiating committee, to call a strike if they deem it necessary, after the contract lapses.

(Agencies via Xinhua October 23, 2007)