Public hospital nurses in Germany have joined educators and other State public employees in a series of ‘warning strikes’ over demands for better wages and working conditions.
Nursing staff at Germany’s university hospitals took action during negotiations for a new contract for Public Service workers.
A spokesperson said they were among those who had made the biggest sacrifices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Workers in all spheres of German State-run enterprises, including hospitals, nursing homes, day-care centres, schools, universities and social welfare centres, are affected by the contract dispute.
A striking nurse, Lisa Schlagheck (29) said she thought authorities would take notice of their work during the pandemic but nothing had changed.
“Many of my colleagues are quitting one after the other because they simply can’t go on anymore,” Ms Schlagheck said.
There is now a shortage of at least 100,000 nurses in German hospitals, and more and more nurses are suffering burn-out, under conditions where infection rates are exploding.
However, State leaders and Finance Ministers say the pandemic has drained their ability to pay more.
Leading employer negotiator, Reinhold Hilbers said the priority was a return to balanced budgets.
“Personnel costs, which account for 40 to 50 per cent of our total costs, must take a share of the burden,” Mr Hilbers said.
Berlin, 28 November 2021
