Verdi, the services union, called for an industry‑wide strike day across Germany’s health sector on Tuesday. The union said the strike was triggered by employers’ failure to present an offer during the state‑level collective‑bargaining talks. Employees from 22 university hospitals nationwide are expected to participate in a warning strike, with the walkout set to continue at most sites on Wednesday as well. Warning strikes are already planned for psychiatric centres in Baden‑Württemberg on Monday. Sylvia Bühler, a Verdi national board member, warned that the affected clinics would experience significant restrictions, although emergency care would be maintained.
According to Verdi, the Association of German States (TdL) failed to put forward a binding proposal for the second round of negotiations for public‑sector employees on January 15 and 16. The union is demanding a seven‑percent pay increase-at least €300 a month-and an additional €200 for junior staff, who should receive permanent contracts after completing their training. Verdi also seeks a 20‑percentage‑point hike in premiums for work at unsavoury times, and for shift and night‑shift allowances to be raised to the level of the public‑service collective agreement (TVöD). The TdL rejected all of these demands.
Bühler said that university hospital staff are frustrated because they are put in a poorer position than their colleagues at municipal hospitals. She stressed that attractive working conditions are essential to recruit and retain qualified personnel. Workers at university hospitals and psychiatric departments show a strong willingness to stand up for their interests, and Verdi expects hospital employees to demonstrate their readiness to fight in the coming days.
