Artists Strike in Hénin-Beaumont to Protect Theatre from RN Pressure
In a bold move against perceived interference from the National Rally (RN) town hall, actors and technicians at the L'Escapade theatre in Hénin-Beaumont have declared an unlimited strike starting Thursday evening. The strike, organized by the CGT Spectacle union, aims to defend the theatre’s independence and address concerns over wage pressure and understaffing issues that have arisen under the management of Mayor Steeve Briois since 2014.
Camille, an actress from the 'l'Intruse' collective, expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, "The intermittent workers of our company are going on strike. They will be present and will hold a picket line to inform the public." This collective effort highlights the workers' commitment to safeguarding the cultural venue's operations and integrity.
Concerns Over Management Control and Funding
The CGT Spectacle union has raised alarms about a recent agreement made between the theatre association's president and the RN town hall, which allegedly allows the municipality to take over management of the venue with just 60 days' notice. This agreement was reportedly signed without the necessary approval from the theatre's board of directors or its director, who has been on sick leave since August. Maxime Séchaud, deputy general secretary of the CGT Spectacle, emphasized the need for guarantees regarding the theatre's management and funding.
The ongoing conflict has drawn support from the National Union of Performing Arts (Synavi), with workers voicing their concerns during the season launch on September 25. They argue that the town hall's actions threaten the autonomy of this independent cultural venue, which plays a vital role in the local arts community.
RN Town Hall Denies Pressure Claims
In response to the accusations, Christopher Szczurek, the leader of the RN majority on the municipal council and a senator for Pas-de-Calais, has defended the town hall's actions, stating, "We never imposed anything." He noted that the theatre has consistently received a subsidy of approximately 300,000 euros since 2014, asserting that the funding has not been compromised. However, the CGT Spectacle maintains that the pressures from the town hall have created an untenable situation for the theatre, which hosts around a hundred artists and technicians each year, many of whom are intermittent workers.
