SCOTS crew on the Robert The Bruce movie are earning £200 less than English staff doing identical jobs, it has been claimed.

A pay row has erupted among production workers filming Netflix epic Outlaw King amid claims local camera, make-up and costume staff were pocketing less cash.

4 Movie stars Chris Pine and James Cosmo

An insider hit out: “It doesn’t seem fair.”

Paul McManus, of broadcasting union Bectu, vowed to tackle the dispute with Glasgow-based producer Sigma Films.

And he insisted pay discrepancies are against the spirit epitomised by the Battle of Bannockburn folk hero.

He said: “They are making a film about somebody who dedicated his life to fighting for the ordinary people of Scotland.

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“And yet here the ordinary people of Scotland seem to be losing out.

“There is absolutely no reason for people to be paid less in Scotland for doing the same job.

“We want to end the idea that companies can make films here and have people on the cheap.

“My colleague has emailed Sigma so we can make contact with them locally on the ground.

“One of our officials is going to talk with crews next week to listen to all their issues.”

4 Filming for the flick is taking place in Linlithgow

The row erupted after Scots workers on the film — being shot at locations including Linlithgow Palace, West Lothian starring Chris Pine — grumbled that staff brought up from England were trousering more cash for the same job.

A source said: “It is a freelance industry and rates vary, but one chap was apparently being paid £200 less for the exact same role.

“Camera operators, make-up artists and costume people all seem to be in the same boat.”

4 Paul McManus of broadcasting union Bectu

Mr McManus — whose union represents 50,000 workers — said they had received “two or three” complaints about rates and long working hours.

He added: “Frequently we find when people are imported from London to work they are getting a higher rate or being put up in hotels, while Scottish workers have to travel long distances without accommodation.

“There should be no geographical differences in rates paid.”

Sigma chief executive Gillian Berrie insisted Scots staff were being valued during the three-month shoot.

She said: “We went to great lengths to ensure our cast and crew was made up from literally thousands of outstanding local technicians and talent combined with international expertise from around the world.

4 Cast and crew shoot scenes for big-budget epic in Linlithgow Palace grounds

“Salaries in every department reflect individuals’ experience and careers.”

The big-budget historical epic sees Star Trek favourite Chris Pine, 37, play 14th-century king Bruce.

Avengers actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 27, and Braveheart’s James Cos­mo, 69, also star in the flick, directed by Oscar-nominated David Mackenzie.

Filming, which runs until November, is taking place in Linlithgow, the Highlands, Borders and Glasgow.

King's ups and crowns

ARISTOCRAT Robert the Bruce had links to the Scottish royal family.

Born on July 11, 1274, he backed William Wallace’s uprising but after the rebellion failed, Bruce became a guardian of Scotland.

In 1306, he became an outlaw and was excommunicated by the Pope when he stabbed a rival to the Scots throne.

He was crowned at Scone, Perthshire, that year but forced to flee to Northern Ireland by the English.

He returned to smash Edward’s army at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 before securing the backing of the country and its lords in 1320’s Declaration of Arbroath.

The Pope recognised him as king of an independent Scotland in 1324.

He died on June 7, 1329. His body lies at Dunfermline Abbey.

paul.thornton@the-sun.co.uk

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