The Federation of Trade Unions in Cultural Institutions (FSIC), affiliated to the National Trade Union Bloc, sounds the alarm regarding the increasingly tense situation at the Brașov Opera House. The union organization accuses the management of the institution of abuses, illegal measures, intimidation and administrative decisions that endanger the operation of a cultural institution of public interest.
The Federation warns, in a press release, that Opera Brașov, one of the emblematic institutions of cultural life in Romania, is facing an accelerated deterioration of the professional climate and a collective conflict that “could and should be avoided”.
Wages cut by 30% and retroactive recoveries: unions accuse illegal measures
The most recent decision of the management of the Brașov Opera House would be to reduce by approximately 30% the incomes of the employees, as well as to initiate procedures for the retroactive recovery of some salary rights already granted, the organization recalls.
“We respect the role and powers of the state’s control institutions and consider that they contribute to ensuring legality in the management of public funds, but the findings of a control do not, by themselves, produce the effect of changing individual employment contracts, reducing salaries or recovering some already executed salary rights“, emphasizes the Federation.
The trade union draws attention that only the courts can decide the legality of such measures, respecting the right to defence.
Employees claim intimidation and pressure after protests
According to FSIC, employees who participated in peaceful demonstrations were subsequently intimidated. The Federation compares the management’s attitude with practices from the communist period:
“We notice in the above document an attitude similar to the old practices of the security, for an action that only signaled the situation faced by the employees, without disrupting the activity. Freedom of expression, freedom of association and the right of employees to participate in trade union actions represent fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution, by labor legislation (art. 5 and 6) and by the international conventions to which Romania is a party.”
The federation states that it has repeatedly requested dialogue, but has not received an opening from the management.
The unions accuse the interim management of destabilizing the institution
FSIC claims that the problems started with the appointment of interim manager Petrean Lucian, in August 2025, “on criteria other than competence”.
The Federation also states that the reduction in salaries continues a destabilization process that began in March, when 12 essential positions for artistic and technical activity were eliminated.
“Even if the institution laments in its activity and control reports the reduced number of qualified staff, those responsible force both the reduction of the already insufficient positions and their salaries. This behavior is contrary to the good running of the institution. Why does Brașov City Hall intend something like this, against an institution so loved by the Brașov public?”, it is also shown in the communique.
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The organization states that the real reason for these measures would be the fact that the employees obtained outstanding salary rights in court, and the town hall refuses to pay them.
List of irregularities reported by FSIC
The Federation summarizes the problems in a broad list: revenue cuts through procedures considered illegal; elimination of 12 essential posts; harassment and intimidation of employees. the limitation of trade union freedom, lack of transparency, mental overload, financial blackmail, personal interests of the management and lack of artistic vision, the relocation of summer concerts inside the building and the expiration of the mandate of the interim manager.
The Federation calls for the intervention of the authorities and public solidarity
FSIC states that the situation of the Brașov Opera House is not an isolated case, but part of a national phenomenon of the vulnerability of cultural institutions.
“FSIC requires competent authorities to act with accountability, objectivity and transparency the situation at the Brașov Opera House and adopt all necessary measures to restore legality, a professional climate based on respect and performance. We also call for the support of the artists by the public constantly present at the performances of the opera, to whom we thank in this way”, conveys the organization
The Federation expresses its solidarity with the employees and promises to use all legal means to defend their rights.
We remind you that the interim manager of the Brașov Opera House barricaded himself in his office on Thursday, June 25, to protect himself from the artists who were demanding his resignation during a protest.
The employees’ revolt broke out after the head of the institution requested explanatory notes from the heads of departments, as a reaction to another demonstration organized by the collective last Saturday, at the end of a show.
“After the performance on Saturday, the employees of the Brașov Opera House walked out peacefully and expressed an opinion. Today, the department heads were called by the interim manager to give an explanatory note. In response, the employees requested a meeting with him. The manager lied that he was at the town hall, only to find out later that he was in the office, so we all gathered in front of the office. He came out, said that he does what he wants, that he is the manager, then he locked himself in the office”, explained, then, an employee of the Brașov Opera House, for “The Truth”.
