SAG, unwilling to follow the model set forth in the deals signed by the directors (DGA), writers (WGA) and even by the other actor’s union, AFTRA, on their network code, is largely believed to be the barrier between a deal or no deal. For now, it’s no deal.

SAG controls most of network television, except for “Rules of Engagement,” “Cashmere Mafia,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Flight of the Conchords,” “Dante’s Cove,” “Reaper” and ” ‘Til Death,” which fall under the auspices of AFTRA. That, however, may change quickly if AFTRA, which is now free to enter into their own contract talks with AMPTP, decides to be more reasonable and settles quickly. At that point, AFTRA would be able to lure shows over to their union on the strength of having a contract in place that can keep shows in production. That would increase pressure on SAG to become more reasonable in their demands and settle quickly, before bleeding too many shows away to AFTRA.

SAG has not yet taken a membership vote on strike authorization, though that is expected in the coming days. Hollywood has already suffered through a 100-day strike by the WGA that some analysts estimate cost Hollywood and the California economy in excess of $2 billion in lost revenue. A few have even cited the strike as a contributing factor to the USA’s economic slowdown.

Is Hollywood willing to endure another strike, so soon after the resolution of the last one? This bears watching.