The presser comes on the heels of SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating committee unanimously recommending that the guild strike. The National Board met on Thursday at 9 a.m. PT to officially decide whether to call work stoppage.

“After more than four weeks of bargaining, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) — the entity that represents major studios and streamers, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony and Warner Bros. Discovery — remains unwilling to offer a fair deal on the key issues that are essential to SAG-AFTRA members,” the guild said in a statement around 1 a.m. PT Thursday.

The AMPTP shared its own statement after the contracts expired and explained that the decision was the union’s choice. “In doing so, it has dismissed our offer of historic pay and residual increases, substantially higher caps on pension and health contributions, audition protections, shortened series option periods, a groundbreaking AI proposal that protects actors’ digital likenesses and more,” the statement read.

SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP have been in negotiations for five weeks as they worked to try to reach a compromise that satisfied both parties.

An actors strike would mark the first against television and film companies in 40 years and the first double strike since 1960.

In a statement shared Thursday, SAG president Fran Drescher said the AMPTP’s proposals were “insulting and disrespectful.” She continued, “The companies have refused to meaningfully engage on some topics and on others completely stonewalled us. Until they do negotiate in good faith, we cannot begin to reach a deal.”

Watch the SAG-AFTRA press conference live below.