Stage Workers Protest Precarious Contracts Outside Uber Arena During Strokes Concert

On 20 October 2026, during a Strokes concert at the Uber Arena in Berlin-Friedrichshain, around 20 members of the Free Workers' Union (FAU) gathered outside the venue to protest against event-staffing company 36 Stage XL. The company employs stage workers — lighting engineers, sound technicians and stagehands — on arrangements FAU spokesperson Matthias Becker described as 'quasi a zero-hours contract.' Shifts are allocated unpredictably, and health insurance lapses if more than 21 days pass between assignments. A former employee reported working more than 20 hours a week without vacation pay, overtime compensation, sick leave or travel-cost reimbursement. Labour attorney Nikolai Rupay Dahm assessed such arrangements as likely illegal for long-term staff, noting some workers had accumulated thousands of euros in personal health insurance debt. Fewer stage workers joined the demonstration than expected; FAU said some were deterred by management pressure. The union's demands include timely and complete wage payments, paid leave, workplace safety, permanent contracts and travel cost coverage. As of publication, 36 Stage XL had not publicly responded.