KV Ordensspitäler Upper Austria: Employees give employers and politicians an ultimatum
More than 6,000 signatures for wage increase and 35-hour week handed over.
KV negotiation
Patience has run out: Employees of the Upper Austrian religious hospitals made it clear today in Linz, Wels and Ried that things cannot go on like this. With 6,035 signatures , they have delivered a clear message to their employers and politicians: Inflation compensation now – and a gradual reduction in working hours to 35 hours!
They were supported by the trade union vida. Representatives of all opposition parties were on site and personally accepted the declarations of intent. Health Minister Christine Haberlander , on the other hand, stayed away from the handover – on the grounds that collective bargaining negotiations were a matter for the social partners.
40-day ultimatum: "A strike is not out of the question"
The handing over of the declarations of intent is not enough: the employees linked a 40-day ultimatum to the employers and to the state politicians. Three rounds of negotiations will take place during this period – and employees expect results.
Martina Reischenböck, health spokeswoman for vida Upper Austria and chairwoman of the group works council of the Vinzenz Group, was not sparing with clear words:
"We asked for support often enough and nothing happened. The last reduction in working hours was in 1975, half a century ago. That has to be different now. Otherwise, we will be forced to resort to more drastic measures – a strike is not out of the question."
"No more excuses" – responsibility lies with the state and employers
For years, responsibility was shifted back and forth: employers pointed to politics, politics to employers. For the employees, this game is over.
Reischenböck emphasizes:
"So far, employers have referred to politics and politics in turn to employers. We do not allow these excuses on any of the sides. The quality of health care depends on whether our working conditions finally improve. We expect the state government to work together on solutions to our demands. In doing so, we are also consciously holding Governor Stelzer responsible."
The employees themselves are also clearly stating what is at stake.
Petra Huber, nurse at the Sisters of Mercy Linz, puts it in a nutshell:
"Every day we give everything for our patients. Every day we plug the gaps that are torn by the pressure to save and staff shortages. We can't keep it up any longer. We also have to stay healthy. We need this reduction in working hours now!"
Next hearing date on December 5
It will continue on Friday, December 5. Then the next round of collective bargaining negotiations for the Order Hospitals of Upper Austria will take place. The message from the employees could not be clearer: they expect an end to the delaying tactics – and if necessary, they themselves will begin to massively increase the pressure.
OeGB-Roland_de_Roo?qlt=85&ts=1764853409985&dpr=off "Wir Sorgen Gemeinsam Protestaktion Ordensspitäler")
Markus_Zahradnik_2x1?qlt=85&ts=1737362745573&dpr=off "Harald Steer")