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German Cultural Workers Launch Warning Strikes Over Pay Equity

Unions are seeking to extend public service wage gains to theater artists before negotiations resume on June 25.

Overview

  • On June 18, several thousand theater and concert hall employees across Germany halted rehearsals for half an hour to press their demands.
  • Unions BFFS, GDBA, unisono and VdO want the recent public sector wage agreement to apply to NV Bühne and TVK contracts for artistic staff.
  • Key bargaining points include higher base salaries, increased Christmas bonuses and an annual personal paid vacation day.
  • Unisono director Robin von Olshausen rejected a “public service light” deal and BFFS negotiator Heinrich Schafmeister warned against treating artists as second-class employees.
  • The Deutscher Bühnenverein will reconvene with the unions on June 25 to seek a resolution in the ongoing pay dispute.