The Screen Actors Guild will send strike authorization ballots to more than 100,000 members of the union on Jan. 2, but the dismal economic climate and the pleas of several prominent actors not to strike could make the vote close.
Votes will be tabulated by Jan. 23, and could lead to a strike that would affect all shows covered by SAG — mostly expensive, filmed series like Lost. Taped shows, such as Gary Unmarried, Rules of Engagement, and 90210 are covered by another union, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
That union, which also includes 44,000 people who also belong to SAG, has already accepted a contract similar to the one studios are offering SAG.
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