SYDNEY - The stars of Australia's best-known soap operas have walked off their sets to join hundreds of other actors in a 24-hour strike for better employment terms.
"The last thing actors want to do is strike. It's complete anathema to us," said actor Alan Fletcher, who plays Dr Karl Kennedy
on Neighbours, Australia's best-known soap opera export.
"But if we don't fight for this now, there's a good chance we would never get it."
Further strikes could be on the cards if demands by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance for better contract terms and improved royalty payments are not met within a week.
Australian actress Nicole Kidman may command millions of dollars to star in Hollywood blockbusters, but life is far less glamorous for the average homegrown actor, who earns around A$10,000 ($11,000) a year and spends most of the year scrambling for parts.
Demands by the union for higher pay and stricter guidelines for performances requiring on-screen nudity or smoking have been met after eight months of negotiations.
But the actors also want a greater share of profits and to be paid for days when they are on call.
Australian television producers - who already complain they face high costs and have trouble financing their projects - say the strike could cost around A$140,000 in lost revenue and will upset shooting schedules.
"It's extremely unfortunate and disappointing as we seemed to be making headway," said Geoff Brown, the executive director of the Screen Producers Association of Australia.
