Standoff in Salary Talks: Verdi and CFM at an Impasse
Negotiations between Charité's affiliate CFM and labor union Verdi hit a standstill - Discussions between Charité sub-entity CFM and union Verdi on labor negotiations
Things aren't looking rosy between CFM, a subsidiary of Berlin's renowned Charité, and the Union Verdi, as wage negotiations for CFM employees have hit a brick wall. CFM pulled the plug on discussions scheduled for Thursday, slamming Verdi for lack of sincerity in finding a solution. Verdi, on the contrary, accuses CFM of outright refusal to negotiate.
According to Gisela Neunhöffer, Verdi's lead negotiator, the CFM staff are "furious" after failing to see any signs of a decent offer from CFM during talk about on-call services. The work the employees perform is highly valued, Neunhöffer told dpa, but there's no word on whether CFM plans to present an acceptable proposal.
Verdi called for a strike last week, extending it from Monday to Friday. An opportunity for talks without a strike was available in February and March, but CFM failed to make an offer. Neunhöffer deemed the last 18% rise over three years offer from CFM as "unacceptable." A step-by-step approach toward the Collective Agreement for Public Service (TVöD) is demanded. "Enough is enough," Neunhöffer stated.
Verdi remains open for talks on Thursday. A brush-up demonstration is set to take place in front of the House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon.
CFM: Conversations devoid of solutions and respect
CFM management insists they're ready for further discussions as soon as a shift towards a "solution-oriented and respectful negotiating environment" seems possible. The cancellation of the meeting was due to Verdi cancelling the negotiation dates offered for early May in favor of prolonging the strike, according to CFM. Constructive dialogue currently seems impossible, said the CFM management.
Approximately 3,500 people are employed by CFM in areas like medical technology, patient transport, outdoor maintenance, cleaning, and security. Verdi is seeking a TVöD-aligned salary for 3,200 of these employees.
- CFM
- Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft (United Services Trade Union)
- Charité, Berlin
- Wage Negotiations
- Labor Dispute
- Strike
- Collective Bargaining Conflict
While specific details on the current negotiations and potential solutions between CFM and Verdi are scarce, it's important to note that most conflicts between unions and employers focus on wages, work conditions, and employee rights. As a major healthcare provider in Berlin, Charité often finds itself in the midst of such disputes. The local labor movement, as highlighted by the recent 6th Trade Union Conference of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, continues to advocate for worker rights and fair wages[1]. The legal framework governing labor disputes in Germany emphasizes fairness and non-discrimination among works council members[5]. Keep an eye out for updates from Verdi or local Berlin news outlets specializing in labor disputes for the most up-to-date information.
[1] Trade Union Conference of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (2021). Retrieved from https://www.rosalux.de/en/news/press/14273[5] Germany: Basic Principles of the Right to Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining. (2009). International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/global/standards/iLO-Conventions/C087/lang--en/index.htm
- In the midst of a standoff over wage negotiations, CFM and the Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft (Verdi) are at an impasse, with the union calling for a strike and CFM insisting on a solution-oriented and respectful negotiating environment.
- The labor dispute between CFM and Verdi, a subsidiary of Berlin's Charité, over wages, work conditions, and employee rights, is not uncommon in the healthcare sector, especially in light of the advocacy for worker rights and fair wages by the local labor movement.
