Mexican Simpsons stars on strike

The same actors have been voicing the Mexican Simpsons for 15 years

The actors who provide the voices for cartoon family The Simpsons in Mexico went on strike on Wednesday.

They say the dubbing company wants to cast cheaper actors from outside their union, the National Actors Association.

The actors picketed the offices of the company, Grabaciones y Doblajes Internationales, blocking entry to the non-union actors.

"For now we have to keep up the strike there," said Patricia Acevedo, 45, the voice of Lisa Simpson.

'Lost ground'

The actors normally start recording their parts in January but negotiations between the union and the company have broken down.

The company has said it is struggling to remain competitive because of the union's actions.

"With attitudes like these, our country has lost ground for dubbing in Latin America," the company said.

Humberto Velez, the voice of Homer Simpson, has said he earns about 600 pesos ($54, £28) per episode and felt obliged to stand up for his union.