University Hospitals in Strike Mode Again
Wanna know what's causing a ruckus in Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania this week? Prepare yourself for the drama of another round of strikes at your favorite university hospitals. Yes, you heard it right! The union Verdi has called for this brouhaha, threatening to disrupt healthcare services in Kiel, Lübeck, Rostock, and Greifswald.
Last week, around 700 employees at University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein took part in a warning strike, but let's see how many workers will join this time around. Verdi is demanding a 10.5% wage hike for public sector workers in these states, with an extra 500 Euros per month minimum. For junior staff, it's 200 Euros more per month, and don't forget, they'll be taking on trainees permanently.
On December 6, another state-wide strike is planned in Schleswig-Holstein, just before the third round of negotiations on December 7. In the second go-around of negotiations, the Tarifgemeinschaft deutscher Länder, with Berlin's Senator for Finance, Andreas Dressel, found the union's demands too excessive and unaffordable.
So, there you have it! Verdi union's calls for warning strikes have left universities in a frenzy, putting healthcare services in Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania under the crosshairs. Prepare for potential service disruptions as your favorite doctors and nurses stop their rounds to demand what they feel they deserve. It's a bumpy ride, but hey, who said working for the public sector was easy peasy?
Enrichment Data:
- The strikes are a part of an ongoing labor dispute between Verdi and the Tarifgemeinschaft deutscher Länder. Verdi is asking for an 8% pay raise (or at least €350) and increased funding for trainees and interns. This is due to poor working conditions and low wages, especially in Berlin's public transit operator BVG.
- Another contentious issue is the government's austerity measures and militarization of society, which Verdi and other unions see as exacerbating financial struggles for public sector workers.
- Potential impacts of the strikes could include disruptions in hospital operations, public services, and even time-critical procedures. However, essential care will remain unaffected.
- The strikes may also influence public opinion and could potentially lead to increased support for Verdi's demands during the federal election campaign.
- While not explicitly mentioned in the sources, the Tarifgemeinschaft deutscher Länder is likely involved in negotiations regarding wage increases and working conditions in the public sector.
