The Paris Olympics opening ceremony organizers have been issued with a strike notice by a union representing the performers who are due to take part in the spectacle.
With the Games fast approaching, a dispute has surfaced involving the French Union of Performing Artists (SFA) as actors, dancers, and acrobats cite grievances over pay and inequalities. Some 3,000 artists and 400 dancers are expected to take part in the event, which will take place on the River Seine on July 26.
The display in the French capital will be attend by 10,500 athletes along with 600,000 expected spectators, with a parade involving boats representing the competing nations at the Games set to take place on the river. Not only does the strike notice encompass the ceremony itself, but it has also been filed for the next set of rehearsals for the curtain-raiser for the Paralympic Games too.
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In a statement released in relation to the strike notice, the SFA claimed that "contractual practices that are not in accordance with the collective agreement", while alleging that "glaring inequalities in treatment" had taken place as they explained the reasons for the decision for industrial action.
The SFA added: "At this very moment, dress rehearsals for the ceremonies are under way, and we regret to have to announce the filing of a strike notice for the show on July 26, 2024 as well as for the next rehearsals of the opening ceremonies of the Paralympic Games ."
Taking aim at organizers, the SFA continued: "While the slogan ‘Doing better together’ is displayed today everywhere in the streets of Paris, we note that our employment conditions have not been discussed together, nor for the better. We have also highlighted questionable practices, glaring inequalities in treatment, and a lack of social dialogue during the preparations for the ceremonies."
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The SFA also claim that they have held discussions with Paname 24, a firm that has been involved in the organization of the opening ceremony "several times" as they made allegations of issues in relation to "contractual practice".
Meanwhile, the Paris 2024 Organising Committee issued a statement in relation to the strike notice, telling the Telegraph : "[The Committee] takes the working conditions of all those contributing to the success of the Games very seriously. We have been in touch with Paname 24, our service provider responsible for recruiting the dancers for the opening ceremony, in order to confirm the level of employment conditions in effect.
"Paris 2024 has verified that Paname 24 has strictly followed the law when applying the collective bargaining agreement that applies to the dance profession. Further, the dancers’ remuneration is above the minimum levels established by their collective bargaining agreement. The remuneration for different dancers depends on their role, as in any other production."
It added: "Paris 2024 and Paname 24 are committed to continuing collective discussions; we are involved in regular dialogue with the SFA-CGT union and have every intention of continuing to do so."
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