Strikes in hospitals – Vienna: workers demand 500 euros more per month

“It has been going steadily downhill for years. It can no longer be as before,” says neurologist Omid Hosseiny on Wednesday morning in front of the Göttlicher Heiland Order Hospital in the 17th arrondissement. He took part in the three-hour warning strikes, as did numerous other employees of the hospitals of the order – from midwives to certified nurses and doctors.

“Fought on the frontline for two and a half years”
Because the demand for an adjustment of the cost of living or 500 euros more per month was not met by the employer. “Colleagues have been fighting on the front line against the corona virus for two and a half years. It cannot be the case that they now have to run after decent wage increases,” said Gerald Mjka, intensive care nurse and chairman of the vida union, which organized the strike together with the Vienna Medical Association.

One-off payments are not enough
The offer of the Vinzenz Group shows that the employer is not aware of his responsibility towards his employees. “Otherwise we cannot explain why one-off payments of 50 (!) Euros are offered and many professional groups are nevertheless excluded,” says Mjka. In addition to the salary increase, better working conditions are also needed. Because the pressure in the hospitals is increasing.

“We should be glad we have them”
The patients on site showed solidarity with the striking staff, despite one or the other long waiting time. “We should be glad we have them,” says one woman, emphasizing, “They definitely don’t get enough money for what they do.”