The summarized version of the story is that per Union’s contract, she’s only supposed to shoot 13 episodes per season of the series so she can have time to do films. But when the network called for 10-episode seasons to be shot back to back for Season 4 and 5, Union claimed that they weren’t talking about paying her the raise she’s supposed to get per season to do so. Not to mention that it’s also more than the 13 episodes at a time that she signed up for. She’s seeking the $3 million in damages and an agreement that BET will not try and seek out more than 13 episodes per season of the show from here on out.The network responded by saying that while they have much love for the actress, “we are contractually well within our rights.”

Well, in a new interview with Entertainment Tonight while at the premiere of her upcoming comedy  Last Christmas , Union was asked about her lawsuit and why it was important for her to take a stand.

“My mortgage,” Union said, laughing. “My mortgage alone.”

Her tone turned serious though when speaking on gender-based wage gaps.

“I put in the same hours as most men if not more and I deserve to get paid the same,” she said. “Equal pay, equal work and that’s how it should be. If you stand up for nothing, you’ll fall for everything.”

Union also spoke further about her lawsuit while on Watch What Happens Live!  with co-stars Mo’Nique and Omar Epps. You could tell that she was beginning to get a bit leery about speaking publicly on the litigation. But when asked by a fan if her suit has impacted shooting of the show, she emphatically said no. The show must go on.

“No, I’m a pro. We all go to work,” Union told the caller. “Season 4 will air January 10th on BET. And hopefully, you know, in the meantime we can sort out some business that’s fair and reasonable and equitable to not just me, but our whole cast, our writers, and our crew.

Someone not happy with Union being so open and honest about the lawsuit is BET. They criticized her and her lawyer this past weekend for playing things out publicly. But by suing the company, she’s also helping her co-stars get their just dues. The SAG-AFTRA union is now “moving to arbitration on behalf of the entire cast” against the network.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the union told Deadline that BET is similar to other companies that “continue to abuse the option pick-up process and mask which season they are shooting to avoid paying contractually agreed upon raises.”

Union’s lawyer, Marty Singer, also issued a statement to Deadline applauding SAG-AFTRA for taking action against the network.

“It is outrageous that BET and Viacom have been taking advantage of the actors who appear on their television series by attempting to get what amounts to free options without paying the actors the compensation they are entitled to under their agreements,” he said. “We are extremely pleased that SAG-AFTRA is pursuing the claim against the Network to protect their members and prevent the network from engaging in this egregious conduct in the future.”

But a spokesperson for BET has responded (also to Deadline ), and they say they’re ready to do battle in court with SAG-AFTRA and Union. Enough of the talking.

“We disagree with SAG-AFTRA’s position,” the spokesperson said. “The clear contract language and the bargaining history do not support SAG-AFTRA’s theory. We believe SAG-AFTRA and Ms. Union are playing this out in the media as they will not be able to prove in arbitration or court of law.”

If things don’t play out in the way Union is hoping, I have a feeling that could likely signal the end for the successful series, and that would be a shame. Let’s hope things will be resolved peacefully for all parties involved.