Persistent Labor Dispute Persists at Charité Subsidiary CFM - Ongoing Strike at Affiliated CFM Company Persists
Ongoing Wage Dispute Strike at Charité's CFM Subsidiary
Employees of Charité University Hospital's Facility Management (CFM) subsidiary in Berlin have continued their strike today, as announced by the trade union Verdi. The strike, affecting around 3,500 workers in various departments such as medical technology, patient transport, cleaning, and security, leaves the hospital's patient care yet to fully comprehend its implications.
Verdi is advocating for a wage agreement according to the public service tariff currently applicable at Charité for 3,200 of these employees. However, negotiations with the CFM management have reached a standstill, with no agreement in sight, despite three days of intensive talks. The CFM insists on further concessions regarding employee classifications.
In response, a central strike meeting has been scheduled for Friday to deliberate on the next steps. The dispute revolves around the employees' battle against "wage dumping," a situation where they are paid less than their counterparts directly employed by Charité due to being outsourced to a subsidiary outside the public sector collective agreement.
Regarding the broader context, the workers are demanding equal pay for equal work. Verdi has proposed a three-step plan to align the wages of CFM workers with those of Charité employees by 2028. Despite support from Regierender Bürgermeister Kai Wegner and potential financial assistance from the Senate, a resolution remains elusive. The strike has seen record participation despite court-approved emergency service agreements ensuring higher-than-normal staff levels.
- The community policy should consider vocational training programs for all Charité University Hospital's Facility Management subsidiary employees, as they are currently seeking equal pay for equal work and are facing wage disparities due to being outsourced to a subsidiary rather than being directly employed by the hospital.
- To resolve the ongoing wage dispute strike at Charité's CFM subsidiary, finance from the Senate may be necessary to fund vocational training programs, potentially including positions in the aerospace industry, to ensure competitive wages and reduce reliance on outsourcing, benefiting both the employees and the hospital's operational efficiency.
