Union guarantees no Hobbit industrial action

Photo / Christine Cornege

The union behind an actors' boycott of The Hobbit has given an unconditional guarantee that it will not take any more industrial action against the film production.

NZ Actors' Equity - the New Zealand branch of the Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) - last week withdrew an international do-not-work recommendation on The Hobbit films.

The union had issued the order over its wish for the negotiation of a collective contract for actors working on the films.

Warner Bros executives are in the country looking at the possibility of relocating the production, citing the instability of the film industry in New Zealand following the do-not-work order.

Prime Minister John Key is meeting with the executives in an attempt to keep the film in New Zealand and says at best there is a 50/50 chance of keeping The Hobbit films here.

On National Radio this morning, the MEAA's assistant director Simon Whipp reiterated that there would be no further industrial action against the production.

"We've given producers unconditional assurances no action will be taken," he said.

John Key and Warner Bros

Weta boss Sir Richard Taylor says he is 110 per cent sure the films will be made here because the alternative is not worth thinking about.

John Key and other ministers are meeting Warner Bros executives this afternoon to persuade them to keep the $670 million films in New Zealand.

"At best it's about 50/50," Mr Key said.

"I would love to tell you it is a done deal, but we are a long way away from that done deal ... We will put our best foot forward and see where it takes us."

Warner Bros had yet to make a final decision, Mr Key said.

The Government is expected to discuss the industrial relations environment, the tax rebates on offer (currently 15 per cent on domestic spending), and the possibility of changing labour laws to make it less likely for workers to take up an employment dispute in the middle of the project.

"But I also think we need to be careful. New Zealand brings a lot to the table and I don't think we should simply get out the cheque book for the sake of it," Mr Key said.

Film workers rally

Film workers addressed thousands around the country yesterday who had gathered in support of keeping the project in New Zealand.

"We can only hope that all sense will prevail in the coming week and we'll all see this reach a wonderful conclusion," Sir Richard said.

Asked about the outlook, he said: "It's about the fact it should be made here, we want it to be made here, so in my own heart I've got to stay positive. In my heart it's 110 per cent."

Weta Workshop was continuing with pre-production work, but Sir Richard had not had any confirmation that location shooting or post-production would take place in New Zealand.

Earlier, he read to the 2000-strong crowd in Wellington's Civic Square a statement from Sir Peter Jackson, who took a swipe at the Australian-based Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance.

"Turning us into another state of Australia under the sway of a destructive organisation carries the very real risk of destroying the great big heart that beats inside our films," Sir Peter said.

"Don't open up the door to an Australian trade union who will never put the interests of Kiwis first, and invest that union with the power to destroy everything we have built."

Union strikes back

Simon Whipp struck back on National Radio this morning saying Sir Peter and Sir Richard Taylor were both members of a foreign union which would have instructed them in the past, such as the 2007-2008 "Writers' Strike".

"Presumably Peter was on strike as well, as a good union member," Mr Whipp said. "No doubt that delayed The Hobbit as well."

Mr Whipp said the union only wanted to have a meeting with Sir Peter Jackson to discuss the conditions under which actors would work on the two films.

"Our union has always wanted the film to be filmed in New Zealand," Mr Whipp said. "I have no particular interest in this whatsoever."

Mr Whipp hoped industrial laws could be changed so independent contractors could enter collective agreements, as they can in Ireland and Canada.