Writers Guild of America members authorize strike; talks with producers to resume Tuesday

April 24 (UPI) -- The Writers Guild of America said Monday 96 percent of its voting members have authorized a strike against Hollywood's film and television production companies.

Variety reported the results were announced the day before contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are set to continue.

If the guild does, indeed, go on strike, a work stoppage could begin as early as May 2 when its current contract expires, the entertainment trade newspaper noted.

"The companies are committed to reaching a deal at the bargaining table that keeps the industry working," AMPTP said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "The 2007 writers strike hurt everyone. Writers lost more than $287 million in compensation that was never recovered, deals were canceled, and many writers took out strike loans to make ends meet. ... We remain focused on our objective of reaching a deal with the WGA at the bargaining table when the guild returns on April 25."

Entertainment Weekly said television shows likely to be affected by a writers strike include late-night chat programs, Saturday Night Live, The Walking Dead, American Horror Story, The Mindy Project and Star Trek: Discovery.

You stood together. Now it's time to vote. Make this your profile picture to show your #WGAUnity. pic.twitter.com/dYkEdcqs0c

— Writers Guild West (@WGAWest) April 20, 2017