The CGIL, CSIL and UIL federations representing doctors, vets and hospital managers organised a national demonstration on 17 January to highlight the 10-year freeze on collective bargaining in the only public sector agreement that has not been renewed. The unions also complain of excessive working time and massive shortages of staff and now a change in the budget law that effectively blocks renegotiation of the collective agreement. The unions are planning a 24-hour strike on 25 January and further action in February.
Doctors, vets and hospital managers take to the streets
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Doctors and health managers take strike action
Health federations from the CGIL, CISL and UIL confederations organising doctors, hospital managers and vets joined the call for 24-hour strike action on 23 November. The unions are angry that the collective agreement for this group of workers remains unchanged after 10 years and is the last of the public sector agreements to be renewed. They are also calling for urgent action to deal with low pay, lack of resources and understaffing. The pressure on staff is set to increase with the average age of workers at 53 and an estimated 10000 doctors and managers set to retire over the next two years.
Doctors and health managers protest and strike over funding
Trade unions representing doctors, health managers, veterinary and other health staff have called a national demonstration on 17 October and a national strike on 9 November. The unions want to see additional funding for the health service in order to address the urgent need to recruit new staff, provide training, tackle precarious employment and renew the collective agreement.
Hospital management take hard line
Strike action is possible at the Helios/Damp group of hospitals in seven cities across Germany. Ver.di is trying to negotiate a 7.5% pay increase for the 5600 workers employed by the company which is part of the Fresenius group. In contrast the management is trying to undermine existing collective agreements, wants to freeze pay for some workers and introduce a new pay structure for other workers that would many without a pay increase. Read more at > ver.di (DE)