In Austria, freelancers are organized in trade unions
In Austria, "art but fair UNITED" has been founded as Europe's first professional association for short-term employees and self-employed people in art and music.
The interest group "art but fair" has been campaigning in Germany, Austria and Switzerland "for ethical and fair working conditions and appropriate fees in the performing arts and music" since 2013. The association "art but fair UNITED" has now been founded in Vienna. As Europe's first professional association, it aims to represent the economic and social interests of freelancers at publicly funded or publicly sponsored permanent theater companies, festivals and concert stages. Among other things, it aims to work towards eliminating loopholes in current legislation.
The Covid-19 pandemic has drastically highlighted the precarious situation of the newly self-employed, writes the newly founded association. In the last three years, however, "legally questionable employment models at publicly funded institutions that have been practiced for decades" have also come to light. This is currently the subject of a model lawsuit for the entire choral sector at the Salzburg Festival, which has now been set for hearing at the Labor and Social Court in Vienna on April 24 of this year.
The association will start operating and accepting membership applications on May 1, 2023.
More info: https://artbutfair.org
