Actors' union 'ballot inquiry'

Results of the fresh election will be announced in April

An investigation into a disputed election for the top jobs in Hollywood union the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) has been launched by the United States Department of Labor, according to a report.

The investigation comes after results of a vote to appoint a new president were declared invalid and a new ballot ordered.

Former Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert won the original contest in November 2001, beating Valerie Harper, who starred in US TV show Rhoda.

But the result was scrapped after it emerged that the vote violated the union's constitution, and another election is being held.

Power

Five SAG members who wanted the original result to stand complained to the Department of Labor, according to industry newspaper the Hollywood Reporter.

The department does not have the power to stop the re-election, but could take charge for a third election, depending on the results of its investigation, the paper said.

Elliot Gould had been elected as treasurer

The investigation will look at accusations made by Gilbert's supporters against the SAG's election committee, led by Wonder Years star Fred Savage, that annulled the original results.

The committee ordered the rerun because voters in New York were given an extra two days to return their votes, and they decided that it gave an unfair advantage to some candidates.

Fresh elections are also to be held for treasurer and recording secretary, which were won by Elliot Gould and Kent McCord respectively.

Harper, Gould and McCord all contested the election results after questions over the voting procedure emerged.

Strike

The dispute has further tarnished the image of the Hollywood union and left it plagued with internal bickering.

Ballot papers for the fresh election will be sent to union members on Monday, 11 February, with results announced in April.

A Hollywood strike was narrowly avoided last year as SAG threatened a walk-off of its members from films and TV.

The actors' unions had been demanding a better pay deal for their 135,000 members and an agreement was eventually reached with the Hollywood studios.