Staff strike at top Cannes hotel

The hotel is used by some of the stars attending the festival

Staff at one of Cannes' most luxurious hotels, the Carlton, have walked out in a pay dispute, only a day after the gala opening of the film festival.

Around 100 members of staff - a third of the employees - walked out, forcing managers to take over their duties.

The hotels along Cannes' sea-front play a key part during the festival, hosting press conferences as well as housing PRs' offices and press rooms.

"We are striking reluctantly over salaires," said a union official.

Benefit cuts

Cannes was earlier threatened with a strike by actors and technicians.

The technicians, along with actors, are angry over the threat of welfare benefit cuts.

They struck a last-minute deal with the festival's organisers to allow them to voice their concerns without interrupting the festival's public events.

However, more than 200 of them staged a "sit-down" protest at the film's opening gala on Wednesday night.

Films being shown at the event this year include the historical epic Troy, Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11and animated feature Shrek 2.