Crisis in the entertainment industry, workers in the square in Palermo: "Contracts on hold and turnover blocked", national strike in Rome on Monday

The Symphonic Orchestra Foundation and the workers of the Teatro Massimo gathered in a union sit-in in front of the Prefecture of Palermo. This initiative is part of a broader national mobilization of the entertainment industry, which will culminate on Monday, March 16 in Rome at the Ministry of Culture.

The failure to renew the national collective contract, the lack of funds allocated by local and national authorities, and the exclusion of the lyrical-symphonic sector from the laws on turnover (which limit hiring to 75 percent of the expenses for departed personnel) are the main reasons for the sit-in, called by the unions Cgil, Cisl, Uil, and Cisal.

"The contract renewal is stalled and has already expired in 2024," explains Matteo Giacosa, secretary of Fials-Cisal. "We are not involved in drafting the new entertainment code, and the lack of 100 percent turnover leads us to lose personnel every year. Moreover, the 25 percent economic surplus must be returned to the Ministry and cannot be reinvested. The Ministry is deaf; on Monday we will be in Rome with other Italian foundations. We have spoken with the Prefect of Palermo, who has shown sensitivity to our issues in the past."

The main issue regarding staff shortages is the Bonisoli Law, which prevents the renewal of fixed-term contracts beyond 36 months. This is a critical issue affecting many workers at the Teatro Massimo: "I have about 20 days left to reach the 36-month threshold, but the Theater — emphasizes Daniela Filangeri from the dancers — has already stopped calling us. Even though we have accrued rights after ten years, we risk not being able to work anymore. New people are being hired in our place, sidelining the rankings. The counting starts from July 2019, and now I fear I will be sent home sooner than expected."