Teatri, ondata di scioperi e proteste per l’aumento salariale

The Italian theater scene is currently experiencing a wave of protests and strikes, much like other sectors facing labor issues. The primary focus has been on transporters and farmers, who have blocked roads with their protests. However, another category of workers, this time from the live performance industry, has begun to make their presence known after the expiration of their national contract in 2021.

Their main demand is an appropriate salary increase to keep up with the rising cost of living, primarily driven by energy and fuel price hikes. The prestigious La Scala theater in Milan, for instance, declared a state of agitation on October 7th and announced a 24-hour strike on October 20th, threatening the premiere of Charles Gounod's Faust, to be directed by Daniele Rustioni.

The protest centers around the renewal of the contract, which differs from the national one due to the theater's autonomy. The union claims that the talks with the superintendent have not yielded adequate responses to the 15% increase in the general salary level, effective from January 2027. Despite several meetings, there have been no concrete advancements regarding the economic request presented.

The general strike of theater employees, whose current monthly salary averages 1,433.43 euros, is scheduled for October 27th, marking a nine-year gap since the last contract revision. Federvivo, the association representing theaters, has offered insufficient economic proposals, failing to account for the 23% inflation spike during the contract period.

For theater workers, who currently earn an average of 1,433.43 euros per month, the proposed 18% increase over three years would raise their median pay to 1,691.44 euros by 2029, amounting to a total increase of 258.01 euros. However, the real increase, without arrears and considering the nine-year contract freeze, amounts to only 28 euros per year.

The unions also contest the proposal for staff employed on paperwork, whose current average daily wage is just 58.69 euros. A 20% increase spread over three years would raise their daily wage to 70.42 euros in 2029, a mere 11.73 euro increase per day, leading to an even smaller annual increment of approximately 1.30 euros. The Coordinamento nazionale unitario emphasizes the need to continue the mobilization until an agreement is reached that restores real purchasing power and professional recognition for all workers in the live performance industry.