Helsinki City Theatre to start co-operation negotiations

On 3 January, the Helsinki City Theatre will start co-operation negotiations concerning the entire staff. The cancellations caused by the coronavirus pandemic in the spring of 2021 and performances in incomplete halls during the autumn have significantly weakened the theatre’s finances. The decision of the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland to close public events on 28.12.-17.1.2022 further worsens the situation. 

“The coronavirus pandemic has tested the theatre’s finances since 2020. Now we had to close our doors to the public again and we cannot do our job. Due to the unstable situation, we are starting co-operation negotiations to prepare for the prolongation of the closures. The purpose of the negotiations is to rearrange the employees’ working, holiday and holiday days and to prepare for lay-offs if the lockdown is prolonged. With these measures, we aim to influence the theatre’s finances to such an extent that when the pandemic loosens its grip and we can get back in front of the audience, we will have the best conditions for it,” says Theatre Director Kari Arffman.

Helsinki City Theatre employs approximately 240 theatre professionals with a monthly salary and approximately 100 temporary staff.

The previous co-operation negotiations at the Helsinki City Theatre took place in November-December 2020. At that time, the entire staff was laid off for a month during the spring of 2021.

The turnover of the Helsinki City Theatre is approximately EUR 8 million, and the annual budget is approximately EUR 21.5 million, excluding renovation and rental grants. Own income accounts for about 46% of this, and the share of operating grants from the city and the state is about 54%.

Further information:
Theatre Director Kari Arffman, kari.arffman@hkt.fi, tel. 040-703 4735
Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja 2, 00530 Helsinki