Paris National Opera’s Ballet Dancers Suspend Strike Action

The dancers have suspended their strike as negotiations with the opera company have resumed

Until recently, a “large majority of dancers” at the Paris National Opera were engaged in a strike, said company coryphée and CGT (the French performer's trade union) representative, Matthieu Botto, reported the Gramilano. The recent strike was suspended after negotiations with the company management resumed.  

Part of a movement originated in February 2023 “to request a re-evaluation of the preparation time specific to all artistic activities within the Opera,” the vote to strike came last week. The dancers cited insufficient negotiations with management on remuneration, and not being allocated enough preparation time at rehearsals and before shows (around two hours of makeup, hair, and warm-ups). 

Subsequently, the action impacted the scheduled performances at the Opéra Bastille and the Palais Garnier, of Pierre Lacotte’s Paquita and Alexander Ekman’s long sold-out ballet, Play, which are set to run until January 4, 2025. 

Five performances have since been canceled, resulting in alleged revenue losses equivalent to over €400,000 in ticket sales for both ballets, reported Le Monde. Despite the strike suspension, the dancers say they will not be lifting strike action concerning their working hours. 

“The curtain is rising, but not the notice period,” the CGT stated, according to franceinfo. “[The movement], strong and supported by the other trades at the Opera, has forced management to reopen discussions. Nothing has been done. But in this context, the artists voted [on Wednesday] to resume and will remain vigilant to ensure that they are recognised for all of their working hours and that their demands are heard as soon as possible,” they added. “The notice period has not been lifted.”

“The performances of the ballets Paquita and Play are confirmed, (this) Wednesday … as part of the suspension of the ballet’s strike notice for that day,” added representatives of Paris Opera’s management. “Discussions with the ballet's representatives are continuing.”

(Image courtesy: Opus 3 Artists)