Breakthrough: collective agreement on the NV stage

Joint press release

Deutscher Bühnenverein and the artists' unions BFFS, GDBA and VdO agree on a partial agreement with regulations on working hours and predictability of work - with this agreement, the NV Bühne also comes into full force vis-à-vis the unions BFFS and GDBA.

Hamburg/Berlin/Cologne, 08.05.2025. The negotiating committees of the trade unions and the German Stage Association today agreed on a so-called small package with regulations on working hours and the ability to plan the work of NV Bühne employees.

With this agreement, the NV Bühne will also come into full force again with retroactive effect from January 1, 2025 in relation to the GDBA and BFFS unions. The BFFS and GDBA had terminated the NV Bühne with effect from December 31, 2024.

The agreement includes provisions on days off for employees, the introduction of a compensatory day for work on a public holiday, the granting of extended rest periods, particularly before performances, the introduction of a binding weekly schedule and the adjustment of the weekly working hours of mainly artistic stage technicians to the working hours of the public sector from 40 to 39 hours with full pay compensation. The new regulations will be introduced gradually from August 1, 2025.

In various rounds of negotiations over the past few months, the trade unions and the German Stage Association have reconciled their positions and achieved a breakthrough on May 8, paving the way for the full reinstatement of the NV Bühne.

Claudia Schmitz, Managing Director of the German Stage Association: "The agreement on the small package in the NV Bühne is a milestone for us. The result of the negotiations is a relevant building block in the reform of the collective agreement and a good basis for further talks and negotiations. On the one hand, this package will now bring the NV Bühne back into full force, which is an important step for us in times of difficult financial conditions. On the other hand, we have found regulations with which we can guarantee that the employees of the NV Bühne can plan their work in line with the times."

Lisa Jopt, Managing President of the GDBA (Genossenschaft Deutscher Bühnen-Angehöriger): "For decades, overwork, care work, preparation and follow-up work were seen as private sensitivities that disrupt operations. With this partial agreement, we are not only anchoring more relief and predictability, but hopefully also a new sense of self-esteem among employees."

Gerrit Wedel, Managing Director of the VdO (Association of German Opera and Dance Companies): "With this important stage victory, we are taking a significant step towards noticeable relief and reliable planning for artistic employees at German theaters. The negotiations will continue immediately in order to seamlessly build on the constructive dynamics of the most recent rounds of talks."

Bernhard F. Störkmann, Managing Legal Counsel of the BFFS (German Federal Acting Association): "The partial agreement now reached on the new NV Bühne is an important step on the joint path to establishing a contemporary NV Bühne collective agreement with our social partners. Planning, relief and socially acceptable, fair and appropriate working conditions for artistic staff at German theatres remain our trade union concern."

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