British
film production could be seriously disrupted this summer by an international
strike by members of US Screen Actors Guild.
The
guild, which wants increases in pay for actors, has published strike guidelines
for its non-US members which film companies warn could halt work on productions
across the world.
The
union wants to prevent US studios escaping the dispute through the use of
foreign actors and shooting overseas.
The
guidelines require that a non-US member of the guild should only work on a film
if it is shot and financed entirely from outside the US.
Equity,
the British actors’ union, has advised its members to support the US Screen
Actors Guild in the event of strike action by not working on US productions
trying to avoid the dispute.
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
Ian
McGarry, general secretary of Equity, said, "If the dispute in the US does
go a head then it is bound to have an impact in the UK. American productions
that might otherwise have come to the UK to use studio facilities or for
location work would undoubtedly stay away."
