In the U.S., 110,000 SAG members recently received a ballot allowing them to ratify or reject the latest deal on offer from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers – and not a moment too soon. The dispute is getting even uglier, if that is possible.

While high-profile members such as Martin Sheen have come out strongly against the deal, based largely on its new media provisions, the ‘Yes’ side is fighting back – most recently with an unsigned e-mail sent out to members. In part, the e-mail read: ‘Don’t be tricked into voting against the TV/Theatrical contract. Some members are trying to take our union down and continue to circulate misinformation about our tentative agreement. Don’t be fooled into voting down a good deal, with real gains for actors. The opponents would like you to believe they have a ‘plan’ if this agreement is voted down. They’ve never actually said what that plan is, and for the last year, their plan failed miserably. You lost jobs, wages and maybe even your health coverage.’

No doubt the fight will only continue to get uglier as the June 9 deadline for the return of ballots approaches.