One of the things which Lady Hillary and I do is per diem work at various movie sets. As extras, non-unionized, we get all the abuse that casual workers get, including discrimination in treatment on the job and, sometimes, getting stiffed for the work. One of the things we and other members of our group have agreed on is not to go to jobs which pay less than minimum wage.

Also, we are working on our congressional reps to get another change in the Fair Labor Standards Act to get equal treatment for all casual workers. This means that all of these jobs must get paid at least minimum wage; if anyone on the site gets fed, everyone gets fed or given a fair stipend for food; reasonable length breaks [Have you ever seen 200 people lined up to go to the toilet or have a snack during a 10 minute break?] and other issues.

Fair is fair.

At present, the only stipulation for hiring is that the person being hired is legally allowed to work in America. There have to be reasonable requirements of the employer.

During the shoot for "Arthur," [the current release], even the union extras were given substandard food and drink. We were expected to sit in our seats during the wedding scene and watch the "crafts" people being fed several times during the day. When we were given breaks, we had to line up for cups of water and, if you were early enough in the line, a piece of fruit.

During the shoot for Adjustment Bureau, everyone, even the stars was treated equally, in that everyone stood in the cold for hours at a time and was fed acceptable quality food.

Both were major studio productions but there was a major difference in the way we were treated. This has got to change.

PS, we do this for pocket money, not because we have to. The money barely covers expenses.