The Stage

Demands of unions attacked for losing film investment in Ireland

Published Friday 4 June 2004 at 10:20 by Anthony Garvey

Trade unions have been accused of pricing Ireland out of film production and jeopardising the jobs of thousands, including actors, through high-cost demands and outdated work practices.

Now the country’s largest union, the Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU), has opened talks with film producer Morgan O’Sullivan, an Irishman with the ear of Hollywood, in an attempt to find a solution. According to O’Sullivan, Disney spent 45 million euros in Ireland last year making King Arthur but is refusing to shoot any more films in the country until the unions agree flexible - and less expensive - working arrangements.

So far this year only 5 million euros have been spent on film production in Ireland, in contrast to last year’s total of 140 million euros. “If you go out to Ardmore Studios today it’s like a morgue,” says Andrew Lowe, a spokesman for Screen Producers Ireland. “The harsh reality is that Ireland has priced itself out of the market.”

Some 3,500 are employed in the Irish film industry. Last year, all the unions involved, including Irish Equity, mounted a vigorous - and successful - campaign against plans by finance minister Charles McCreevy to abolish tax breaks for the sector. Now, ironically, it is the unions who are being accused of jeopardising it.

Among the concerns voiced by Disney and other film-makers are that Irish crews demand a travel allowance - plus travelling time - to get to work, overtime and premium rates after normal hours, with special payments for working beyond midnight. The fear is that such demands could drive film companies to cheaper locations in Eastern Europe. One idea to be considered in the negotiations is that the industry’s current hourly rate of 20 euros be increased to 25 euros, in return for more flexible working.

O’Sullivan says Disney has a couple of projects lined up, including one that could come to Ireland if the union problem is resolved. “They have told me, ‘we would really like to work here but you have to put your house in order first’.” He is optimistic that he can make a new deal with the unions. “We don’t have to sell out to Los Angeles to become competitive - we just have to reach a compromise and find a balance that is acceptable to both sides.”

SIPTU spokesman Jimmy Jordan claimed that the fall in the value of the dollar against the euro was a major factor in the controversy. “Our rates and working practices were the same last year, so why have they suddenly become an issue?,” he asked. “The answer is that the studios want to take advantage of the tumbling exchange rate to cut costs.”