Employees of the Geneva Opera House go on strike
Published: Thursday, Feb 29th 2024, 16:00
Updated At: Thursday, Feb 29th 2024, 16:00
العودة إلى البث المباشر
Around 80 employees of the Geneva Opera House (Grand Théâtre de Genève) went on strike on Thursday. They are protesting against the City of Geneva's plan to transfer the staff to a foundation.
Supported by the VPOD, SIT and Syndicat suisse romand du spectacle unions, around 80 employees took part in the protest strike planned from 7 a.m. to midnight. "All united for a fair opera", "On ne joue plus" and "Chantons la résistance" could be read on posters around the building.
The conflict revolves around the plan of the city councillor responsible for culture, Sami Kanaan (SP). He wants to harmonize two different personnel systems within the institution. The reform envisages that the 190 or so employees currently covered by the city's staff regulations (mainly technicians) will in future belong to the Grand Théâtre Foundation (FGTG).
The strikers criticize the fact that the foundation's working conditions are worse than those of the city. They also complain that there were no preliminary negotiations. They were presented with a fait accompli. The employees know nothing about their future working conditions, salaries or pensions.
Slimmed-down performance
The performance of Mozart's opera "Idomeneo" on Thursday evening will go ahead despite the strike, but only as a concert version. "The artists will be present on stage, the orchestra in the pit, but there will be no staging and no dancing," the Grand Théâtre de Genève announced on its website.
Tickets that have already been sold are valid. Anyone who does not wish to see this slimmed-down version of "Idomeneo" can have their money refunded.
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