Ongoing Strike at Charité Affiliate, CFM Persists - Persistent Strike Targeting CFM Affiliate Carries Onward
Strike Persists at Charité's CFM Subsidiary Over Wage Dispute
Employees of Charité's facility management (CFM) subsidiary are carrying on with their strike today, as announced by the trade union Verdi. The impact on the hospital's patients remains unclear.
Approximately 3,500 individuals work at the CFM, contributing to areas such as medical technology, patient transport, cleaning, and security. Verdi is advocating for a wage agreement in line with the public service tariff valid at the Charité for 3,200 of its members.
Negotiations with CFM management have reportedly stalled, with no signs of resolution. Despite three days of intense discussions, employees have yet to receive a concrete offer. CFM is said to be pushing for significant further concessions in employee classification.
A central strike meeting is scheduled for today, where the course of action will be deliberated.
The Charité, a university hospital in Berlin, employs workers at CFM in various roles, including cleaning and patient transport. The current strike is centering on demands for equal pay for equal work and reintegration into the public sector collective agreement, initially promised by the Berlin state government.
Although CFM offered a wage increase of 18% over three years, Verdi proposed a three-step plan to achieve full wage parity by 2028. Negotiations have been challenging, with minimal progress in meeting the workers' demands.
In an attempt to halt the strike, CFM management sought court intervention, but their efforts were unsuccessful. However, they were able to enforce an "emergency service agreement" requiring higher-than-normal staffing levels during the strike, which has not deterred the strikers.
The strike, which has been ongoing for several weeks, is showing no signs of abating, with workers demonstrating strong resolve. Despite challenges, including legal efforts to undermine the strike, participation rates have remained high. The situation remains tense, with workers urging management and the Berlin state government for meaningful action to address their demands.
In the midst of the ongoing strike at Charité's CFM subsidiary, Verdi is advocating for vocational training opportunities in the banking-and-insurance and industrial sectors as part of the community policy, aiming to bridge the skill gap and enhance employees' financial security. Simultaneously, Verdi is pressing for a wage agreement in line with the public service tariff, proposing a three-step plan to achieve full wage parity by 2028, while CFM has offered only an 18% wage increase over three years.
