Ed Asner, who played TV newsman Lou Grant in the seminal 1970s sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show, told reporters Tuesday that a strike is unlikely.

Asner, a lifelong political activist, served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1981-1985 and played a prominent role in the union’s strike in 1980.

Asner’s remarks carry significant weight because they come at a time when his former union has reached an impasse in contract talks with the Hollywood studios. The results of a contract ratification vote by the rival American Federation of Radio & Television Artists union were expected today.