Strike threat lingers over 2024 Olympics opening ceremony

Negotiations to end a strike threat from 700 dancers involved in the 2023 Paris Olympics opening ceremony failed to reach an agreement on Tuesday, meaning the event still faces the risk of disruption.

The SFA-CGT union, which says it represents roughly 10 per cent of the 3,000 performers involved in the opening ceremony, filed a strike notice last week over what it said were “outrageous disparities” in pay among dancers.

A meeting on Tuesday between the union and the games’ organising committee resulted in an offer of 120 euros ($130) extra for the lowest-paid performers, which was rejected.

“This Tuesday, a timid proposal was finally made to us, related to an increase in pay for broadcasting rights,” the union said in a statement sent to AFP.

The strike threat is an unwelcome development for French organisers and risks deepening France’s reputation for labour disputes just as the eyes of the world fall on Paris for the start of the games this Friday, July 26, 2024.

A host of French public sector workers have threatened strikes or stopped work ahead of the Olympics to demand bonuses for working over the July 26-August 11 event, which coincides with the summer holidays.

One-off payments of up to 1,900 euros have been agreed for police and municipal workers in Paris.

The head of the formerly Communist-aligned CGT, Sophie Binet, urged the company producing the opening ceremony, Paname 2024, to reach an agreement to end the strike threat quickly.

Some of the dancers protested on Monday during rehearsals by the river Seine by stopping and holding their fists aloft for eight minutes.

The opening ceremony is set to take place over a 6km (four-mile) stretch of the river Seine, with around 6,000-7,000 athletes expected to sail down the river on 85 boats.

It will be the first time a summer Olympics has opened outside of the main athletics stadium.

A small union at Paris airport operator ADP has also filed a strike notice for Friday.

Management of the company reached an agreement last week with most labour groups to end a dispute over Olympic bonuses.

AFP