CHU de Bordeaux caregivers, one of France’s largest, have been called to indefinite strike this Tuesday, June 28, by their unions. They are seeking salary increases and hiring before the summer that promises to be “very difficult”.
“This is the first indefinite strike to be organized in the summer. We are at the end of our rope, “said AFP Alain Es Sebbar secretary of CGT of Pellegrin hospital. This is the third establishment of CHU and the largest employer in New Aquitaine, with over 14,000 employees. .
The unions FO, CGT, and SUD Sante are asking to hire. Management has been able to filter emergency access from 5 p.m. since May’s end due to a lack of arms.
Unions call for a minimum wage increase of 300 euros for technical, administrative, and nursing staff to attract new workers.
According to Jacques Ollivier (SUD Sante delegate to the CHU), this call is addressed all healthcare personnel, i.e. There are approximately 11,000 people who “nurses” and “nursing assistants”, as well as 180 other professions like laboratory technicians, medical secretaries radiologist manipulators physiotherapists social workers, launderers, and medical secretaries.
“At the moment, we count 5 notices of the 8,222 agents set for Tuesday morning,” Monday’s communication department at the hospital stated.
Pascal Gaubert, FO representative at CHU, stated that “this strike was rather political and symbolic, in order to put pressure upon management this summer to see if it keeps their promise to hire”.
Management announced that 600 beds would be closing this summer to relieve staff last week. Stephanie Fazi-Leblanc (Deputy Director General of the CHU) stated that it was necessary to allow leave for three weeks between June and September to ensure the safety of the staff.
Alain Es Sebbar says that “it’sn’t new” because the 600 beds are “already closed”.
“Summer will be very difficult,” says Jacques Ollivier. However, the region is very touristy and experiences a large influx holidaymakers every summer.
Pascal Gaubert, FO says that it is essential to hire “otherwise it would be the crash”. We have 200 vacant positions at the CHU, mainly among nurses and nursing assistants. There is also an average absenteism rate of 12%, with nearly 250 people currently on leave. There are now almost 500 less agents.
“Those who leave are not replaced so staff are exhausted, it is a stunt. Then there was the Covid. Many people left, changed jobs, or took leave,” Pascal Gaubert.
“All are affected, not just caregivers. Five pharmacy preparers are leaving this summer,” Alain Es Sebbar, CGT, alerts.
These union officials claim that management promised 250 school leavers by the end of August. Pascal Gaubert said, “But it is still necessary […] we manage to preserve them and perpetuate their on the posts.”
The adult emergency room at the Pellegrin hospital has been closed since May 15th. This is due to staff shortages and pressure.
Staff at hospitals must provide minimum services even if they are on strike.
