By: Amy Li
Dancers in France have called off their planned strike for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics after event organizers agreed to some of their demands, labor unions announced on Wednesday. This decision came just days before the performers are set to line the Seine River for the historic outdoor event on Friday.
The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is set to be a unique event, taking place outside a traditional stadium for the first time. However, the event faced potential disruption when dancers, unhappy with pay disparities, threatened to walk out. Temporary contract dancers felt they were being treated unfairly compared to full-time dancers from established dance companies. Earlier this week, about 200 dancers protested during a rehearsal by standing still with raised fists for eight minutes.
The S.F.A.-C.G.T. union, representing artists and performers, negotiated with the Games organizers to address these concerns. On Wednesday, the union announced a deal had been reached to increase broadcast royalties for temporary contract dancers, who were previously going to receive significantly less than their full-time counterparts.
“The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be a unique moment of celebration and unity,” the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee said in a statement, emphasizing the productive discussions. “We are delighted that it will be held under satisfactory conditions for all those involved.”
Despite this progress, the union did not achieve all its demands. Requests for increased housing and transportation stipends for dancers from outside the Paris region were not met, adding financial strain on these performers. Additionally, there are concerns about the safety of dancers positioned on rooftops along the Seine, due to potential lead dust exposure from the 2019 Notre-Dame Cathedral fire. Ghislain Gauthier, secretary general of the C.G.T.-Spectacle, mentioned the uncertainty over whether proper evaluations of lead toxicity had been conducted.
“Normally, an expert laboratory has to come to evaluate the toxicity,” Gauthier said. “We don’t know if that was done.”
The resolution of the strike threat ensures that the opening ceremony can proceed as planned, highlighting the spirit of the Olympic Games. As Paris prepares to host the world, the focus will be on the performers who will bring the Seine River to life, showcasing unity and athleticism amidst ongoing challenges.