AFTRA Ratifies Contract; Strike-o-meter Dives

AMC

The American Federation of Radio & Television Artists ratified its new contract yesterday. Although AFTRA is the smaller of the two actors' unions up for contract renewal, the vote (approving the pact with 62% in favor) would appear to make a strike by the larger Screen Actors Guild less likely. Anything can happen, of course, and SAG remains without a contract, but (1) SAG had invested in a campaign to sink the AFTRA deal, (2) many actors belong to both unions and (3) a SAG strike would require a three-fourths vote of its membership for authorization.

Not that the AFTRA numbers necessarily transfer to SAG, but it sure doesn't make the math easier. Keep your fingers crossed for a full season of Mad Men.