Paris, France – Hundreds of dancers who had threatened to strike during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on Friday have called off their protest after reaching a new pay agreement with organizers. The decision was announced by the SFA-CGT union on Wednesday, following successful last-minute negotiations.
The union, which represents approximately 10 percent of the 3,000 performers set to participate in the grand opening, had initially filed a strike notice last week. They cited “outrageous disparities” in compensation among dancers, with some earning significantly less than their peers for the same performance.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the SFA-CGT union declared, “This period has concluded with a victory, which although it is not total, is nonetheless a response to the urgent issues raised.” The new deal ensures that the lowest-paid dancers will receive an additional 160-240 euros ($150-$260) for their performance, providing a boost to those who felt underpaid.
The dancers’ decision to strike had posed a significant threat to the highly anticipated opening ceremony, which is set to make history by taking place outside the main athletics stadium.
Instead, the event will unfold over a six-kilometer (four-mile) stretch of the river Seine, with 6,000-7,000 athletes expected to sail down the river on 85 boats. The innovative and ambitious setup has been described as “historic and spectacular,” making the threat of disruption particularly concerning for organizers.
The strike threat materialized visibly on Monday when some dancers halted rehearsals by the river Seine, raising their fists in a symbolic eight-minute protest. This demonstration underscored the performers’ resolve to achieve fair compensation, highlighting the broader issue of labor disputes that have plagued various sectors in France ahead of the Olympics.
The Olympics have coincided with the summer holidays, a time when many French public sector workers are demanding bonuses for their efforts.
One-off payments of up to 1,900 euros have already been agreed upon for police and municipal workers in Paris to ensure smooth operations during the Games, scheduled from July 26 to August 11.
The resolution with the dancers is a relief for Paris 2024 organizers, who faced the prospect of labor unrest tarnishing the opening ceremony’s grandeur. However, the issue of labor disputes remains prevalent.
A small union at Paris airport operator ADP has also filed a strike notice for Friday. Although ADP management reached an agreement with most labor groups last week, ensuring Olympic bonuses, the potential for disruption still lingers.
As the world’s eyes turn to Paris for the start of the Games, the successful negotiation with the dancers marks a significant step toward ensuring that the opening ceremony proceeds smoothly. The agreement highlights the ongoing negotiations and concessions necessary to maintain the balance between labor rights and the execution of a global event.
The historic nature of the opening ceremony, coupled with the resolution of the dancers’ pay dispute, sets the stage for an event that promises to be both spectacular and emblematic of the complexities involved in organizing the world’s largest sporting event.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
