Three-and-a-half months after talks ended following an impasse, the actors union has inched one step closer into uncomfortable territory for the TV and film industry. The Screen Actors Guild’s national board declined to pass judgment on any strike authorization for the time being. Instead it punted the decision back into the hands of negotiators Sunday and requested federal meditation to jumpstart talks that ended when the studios made a so-called final offer June 30. If the stalemate sticks, SAG will likely seek strike authorization from at least 75 percent of its 120,000 members who’ve been working under an expired contract.

The latest development ensures that the aura of uncertainty will continue while many shows that lost fans and momentum during last year’s writers’ strike continue to buckle under declining ratings. Any work stoppage would undoubtedly throw fuel on the fire Hollywood’s been trying to put out ever since the last strike ended in February after three months. Awards season and spring programs could all be affected again. The Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers rebutted SAG’s statement almost immediately on Sunday afternoon. The studios maintain that SAG members shouldn’t expect anything beyond what the other four major unions signed on to this year. AMPTP also pointed out that each of those deals were made in “better economic times.” SAG Release. AMPTP Statement.