The Intermittents: Culture Workers Fight Back

The 2003 struggle of the "intermittents du spectacle"—freelance cultural workers including actors, technicians, and musicians—showed how French strike culture adapted to post-industrial realities. These workers enjoyed special unemployment benefits recognizing the irregular nature of cultural work. When the government tried reducing these benefits, intermittents didn't just strike—they transformed strikes into cultural events.

The Avignon Festival, France's premier theater event, was disrupted but not destroyed. Instead of simply canceling performances, intermittents organized alternative shows, debates, and demonstrations that questioned the commodification of culture. They occupied theaters and concert halls, turning them into forums for discussing art's role in society.

This movement pioneered new forms of struggle suited to creative industries. Traditional strikes—withdrawing labor—made little sense for workers already precariously employed. Instead, they practiced "requisition"—performing for free, demonstrating that culture should be accessible to all, not just those who could afford tickets.