Yes, we’ve had to update our Union Bitch-Fight logo from 2008 to 2009.

Here’s the skinny in the briefest way possible. The Screen Actrs Guild (SAG) is still pissed at The Alliance Of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) for not wanting to re-negotiate their last contract offer, which has been on the table for five months. The AMPTP is pissed at SAG because the union was offered the exact same deal that the WGA and the DGA agreed to, and they say that making an exception for actors when it comes to digital media rights and product placement decisions will lead the other unions to bitch and moan about actors getting special treatment.

Now, it’s time to vote on a strike. SAG needs 75% member ratification, which is still up in the air. But, if ratified, they plan to move to strike in late January. Which is a whole month ahead of the Academy Awards…

From Variety:

Although SAG has about 120,000 members, ballots will go out only to those who are dues current, so the actual number of eligible voters will probably be closer to 110,000. SAG has launched an ambitious PR effort, with guild prexy Alan Rosenberg and national exec director Doug Allen meeting for 90 minutes Wednesday with 20 publicists and managers at SAG headquarters in Hollywood and videoconferencing with another 10 in New York to brief them about the guild’s plans.

According to people with knowledge of the meeting, the SAG toppers said it was premature to discuss whether the guild will tell its members to avoid the Feb. 22 Academy Awards and indicated the question would probably be addressed when the guild issues its strike rules.