Clinics - Minister speaks with Asklepios-CEO about clinic strike
Health Minister Stefanie Drese has intervened in the tense collective bargaining dispute at the Asklepios Clinic in Pasewalk (Vorpommern-Greifswald district). The background is concerns about medical care there. After a conversation with the Asklepios Regional Business Manager Guido Lenz on Thursday, the SPD politician expressed satisfaction.
"We were assured that the mandate of the hospital is fully guaranteed and that management and the works council are in constructive talks to find and agree on solutions for fair wages and better working conditions for the non-medical staff," reported Drese. She expects that now actions will follow the words in the interest of the non-medical staff and the hospital. The progress of the talks also depends on whether Minister Drese and Vorpommern-State Secretary Heiko Miraß (SPD) will schedule further meetings.
She does not want to interfere in the collective bargaining, stressed Drese. However, in the past few weeks, many employees of the Hospital have contacted the state government with complaints. "It's about preventing further damage to the Pasewalk hospital location." The works council was absent from the meeting due to health and vacation reasons, it was said.
Warning Strikes
The union Verdi had called for warning strikes on two days in the past week and three days this week. They demanded higher wages and a collective agreement for the non-medical staff of the hospital. Since the privatization of the former district hospital Pasewalk more than 20 years ago, there has been no collective agreement for the nursing staff, according to Verdi.
- The collective bargaining dispute at the Clinic in Pomerania's District Vorpommern-Greifswald, specifically at the Asklepios Clinic in Pasewalk, has been a source of concern for the government.
- Minister Drese, a member of the SPD, has held conversations with the Asklepios Regional Business Manager regarding this dispute, expressing satisfaction with the assurances received.
- The government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has been actively involved, as many employees of the Hospital have voiced their concerns to the state government.
- The union Verdi has initiated warning strikes at the Clinic, demanding higher wages and a collective agreement for the non-medical staff, citing the absence of such an agreement since the hospital's privatization over 20 years ago.
- The works council, however, was unable to attend the meeting due to health and vacation reasons.
- The progress of the talks between management and the works council will determine the outcome of the situation, and further meetings between Minister Drese and Vorpommern-State Secretary Heiko Miraß (SPD) are expected to contribute to this.
- Tariffs and better working conditions for the non-medical staff at the Clinic are the main focus of these negotiations, with the ultimate goal of preserving the Hospital's operations and improving overall Health care.
