Australian union offers role to NZ actors

New Zealand actors and performers are being asked to consider joining an Australian trade union, in what could be a precursor to similar worker alliances where local companies are increasingly run from head offices across the Tasman.

The actors, about a third of whom belong to NZ Equity, part of the National Distribution Union, are being lured by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance in Australia with promises of better working conditions, pay rates, sick leave, holiday pay and superannuation, much of which is denied Kiwi actors as nearly all work as independent contractors.

Distribution union organiser Teresa Brown said the opinions of all 600 to 700 actors and performers were being sought, along with those of professional dancers, models and theatre technicians. Meetings had been held in Auckland and Wellington.

If there was support for the proposal, union members only would be balloted. Non-members had until June 6 to register to take part.

Ms Brown said actors' pay rates here were no better than they were 15 years ago and the inability to bargain collectively was the main reason for that. As a result New Zealanders often found themselves working on productions in this country alongside cast and crew from Australia, the United States and Britain enjoying much better pay and conditions.

In Australia, they were seen as cheap labour who potentially undermined the pay and working conditions negotiated by the alliance.

Ms Brown said some actors were being pressured by their agents to vote against the proposal.

"Some agents are very supportive but others are spreading scare stories that it will be bad for the New Zealand industry."

A discussion paper distributed by the alliance says Australian actors had been told for years that having a strong union would mean film productions would be lost to other countries "but productions keep coming here".

It quotes an unnamed film producer saying he had done several productions in New Zealand that were successful because of the favourable exchange rate, independent contractor employment and lack of restrictive provisions.

"If this alignment happens I am most sorry to say I will not be bringing any more productions there."