The group of actors, dancers, and acrobats hired for the spectacle is protesting low wages and labor inequalities by the organization. According to the union, their concerns have been repeatedly ignored after alerting Paname 24, the executive producer of the ceremonies, about contractual practices that do not comply with the collective agreement.

"We also highlight scandalous disparities in treatment, as well as the absence of social dialogue during the preparations and rehearsals," added the SFA, suggesting that around 300 professional dancers out of 3,000 registered for the Olympic Games have been hired under "shameful financial conditions."

The SFA insists on the lack of response to their demands and questions regarding wage variations, ranging from €60 for intermittent workers in the entertainment industry to €1,610 for employees who have benefited from successful collective negotiations. Similarly, it is unclear why Parisian artists are not being reimbursed and housed to the same extent as artists from other areas.

“We proposed an open discussion to find solutions acceptable to all, within the time constraints linked to the approach of the ceremonies,” the union says. “But, to date, Paris 2024 and Paname 24 seem to be playing for time, by not scheduling any new meetings”. This worker advocacy association is clear that today's slogan seen on the streets of Paris, 'Doing better together,' does not at all reflect the reality of the artists' working conditions, which have not been collectively discussed at any point.

Meanwhile, the Olympics organising committee declares that they "take very seriously the working conditions of all those employed to ensure the success of the Games." "Paris 2024 has verified that Paname 24 has strictly followed the law in applying the collective agreement that is applicable in these cases. Furthermore, the compensation for dancers exceeds the minimum levels established in the regulations.”

Both organisations claim commitment to continue collective negotiations, which, according to them, have been ongoing regularly since dialogue began with the SFA. “We fully intend to proceed in this manner.” Pending further meetings throughout this week, everything remains unresolved.

The Paris event has already faced several threats of labor stoppages in the months leading up to the Games, with most not materialising. Just last Tuesday, thanks to agreements reached, employees at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport cancelled a strike that would have disrupted hundreds of flights.

According to the schedule designed for the Paris 2024 opening ceremony, around 3,000 dancers, musicians, and actors will participate in the spectacle on 26 July, to be held along the banks of the River Seine and its surrounding bridges. It will be the first time in Olympic history that such an event takes place outside the main stadium. An attendance of 600,000 people is expected throughout the streets of the French capital.