By Chris Isidore and Vanessa Yurkevich | CNN

Writers for television, movies and streaming shows have voted overwhelmingly to go on strike if no labor deal can be reached before a May 1 deadline.

The vote announced Monday afternoon showed 97.9% of participating union members voting to approve a potential strike.

If a strike happens, it would be the first in the industry since 2007, and it would bring production on many shows and films to a halt. The 2007 strike lasted 100 days.

“The studios need to respond to the crisis writers face,” Writers Guild of America leadership said in a message to members ahead of the vote. “WGA members must demonstrate our willingness to fight for the contract writers need and deserve by supporting a strike authorization vote.”

The two sides have met a few times since negotiations began March 20. The WGA is calling for additional compensation and residuals from features in theaters or on streaming platforms, an end to the abuse of “mini-rooms” (smaller number of writers in the room) and increasing contributions to pension and health funds.

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The AMPTP, which represents studios and streamers, said the entertainment industry has changed in recent years and writers need to make concessions.

“The AMPTP companies approach this negotiation and the ones to follow with the long-term health and stability of the industry as our priority,” AMPTP said shortly before negotiations began. “We are all partners in charting the future of our business together and fully committed to reaching a mutually beneficial deal with each of our bargaining partners. The goal is to keep production active so that all of us can continue working and continue to deliver to consumers the best entertainment product available in the world.”

AMPTP represents Amazon, Apple, CBS, Disney, NBCU, Netflix, Paramount Global, Sony, and CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.

WGA said its writers are unfairly compensated as streaming popularity — and its share of Hollywood’s revenue — grows.