In about two weeks, three hospitals in the Eindhoven region will participate in a national strike for a better collective labour agreement.
The hospitals concerned are the Eindhoven Catharina Hospital, the branches of the Maxima Medical Center, and the Sint Anna Hospital in Geldrop. It is still unclear which departments will be affected and what the exact consequences will be for patients.
In total, action committees of 82 hospitals and rehabilitation centres in the country will join the action day on 20 November. Hundreds of departments shall be closed for 24 hours. These include operating theatres, radiology, nursing departments, facility services, and laboratories. It also concerns non-emergency sections.
Clear agreements wanted
The vast majority of hospitals are taking part, following the call from various trade unions. These include the FNV, NU’91, and CNV, among others. Doctors and nurses are demand a pay raise, and an emergency call-out allowance. They also want clear agreements about working conditions, such as break-periods.
Last summer, protests took place at the Catharina Hospital.
Source: www.studio040.nl
Translator: Chaitali Sengupta, who gives Inburgering classes. For more info: https://www.facebook.com/OnpointCC/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Editor: Melinda Walraven
