NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Two unions representing movie and television actors are discussing a one-year extension in their current contract, a joint statement from the unions and management negotiators said.

Currently the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists both have contracts that expire June 30. The statement from the two unions and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents management in the talks, said that negotiations on a possible one-year extension have been going on for a week.

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"Our goal is to reach an extension agreement that protects and enhances the rights of working actors and avoids a slow down in production," said the joint labor-management statement. "The discussions went into a recess period on Friday night. Each side hopes to resume talks over the coming days."

While most television shows are not in production during the summer, the extension would ensure that some movies could go ahead with filming as scheduled, and also would increase the chances that the 2004 fall television season would be able to begin on time.

The film and television industry still face a May 2 expiration on the contracts with the Writers Guild of America. That group is trying to improve the writers' share of future revenues from DVD and videocassette sales, known as residual payments. A victory by the writers on that issue could set a pattern for gains by actors when their contract is reached. The WGA is also seeking improved health insurance payments and jurisdiction over writing done on animated, nonfiction and so-called "reality" shows.

Trade publication Variety said that an extension of the two actors unions' contracts could give those unions further opportunity to explore a merger being sought by SAG, which could ultimately give them greater clout at the bargaining table. It also would give their contract the same expiration date as the one for the Directors Guild of America, which could also give additional bargaining leverage to both actors and directors negotiators a year from now.