Italian theater workers launch national strike over wages

Theater employees and contracted personnel in Italy have initiated a national strike to protest stagnant wages and the impact of inflation. The mobilization, proclaimed by the unions Slc Cgil, Fistel Cisl, and Uilfpc Uil, follows a breakdown in negotiations with Federvivo, the association representing live entertainment businesses.

Workers report that contracts have been frozen since 2018, during which time inflation has reached 23%. The average monthly salary for a theater employee is approximately 1,433 euros. Unions have criticized Federvivo’s current proposal—an 18% increase spread over three years without back pay—as insufficient, noting that the real value of the increase amounts to only about 28 euros gross per year.

The strike, which began on October 21 and is scheduled to continue until October 30, includes various roles such as administrative staff, actors, technicians, stagehands, and orchestra members. Protests and pickets are taking place in major cities, including Milan, Rome, Naples, and Catania. A larger national demonstration is planned for November 9 in Rome.