It is not a good time to be striking: Robert De Niro
7 Jul 2008, 1706 Hrs

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London, July 7 (ANI): American actor Robert De Niro has expressed his disapproval and warned Hollywood actors against taking strike action over negotiating a new contract with studio bosses.

De Niro's reason for not supporting the strike is because it is not the right time and according to the 64-year-old actor, the issues "could be resolved" in years to come.

"I do not think it is a good time to be striking," BBC quoted him as saying.

The speech was given at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in the Czech Republic, where he had won a career award.

The Screen Actors Guild is expected to respond to a new offer on Monday.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) came up with a three-year deal responding to actors' concerns about being paid for work appearing on new media.

But the SAG initially said that the offer did not look promising, and negotiations to thrash out a new contract are ongoing after the last one expired last week.

De Niro added that the general climate is not right for industrial action.

"All the trade unions are affected by the strike," he said.

"With the economy as it is at this time, it does not seem to be a great idea," he added.

The actor was presented with the Crystal Globe for his contribution to cinema at the film festival on July 4th night. (ANI)