Nurses to MHH demand collective agreement-SPD minister contradicts

Nurses to MHH demand collective agreement-SPD minister contradicts

At the Hannover Medical School (MHH), a conflict is distilled that could have far -reaching effects on the care industry. For weeks, patients, nursing staff and doctors have been confronted with the question in the largest Lower Saxony university clinic: do they strike or do they strike? At the center of this dispute is the ver.di union, which calls for a collective agreement to relieve the nursing staff, but encounters resistance. The SPD Minister of Science Falko Mohrs sees no space for such a contract, which puts the minds on the palm.

Burkhard son, a nurse at the MHH, describes his burden: In the course of his eleven -year career, he has already participated in many collective bargaining, but this time the mood is different. He and his colleagues are not just about major payments or better classification; It is about fundamental improvements in working conditions. The catalog of demand created by ver.di was the result of an intensive, grassroots democratic participation process in which 133 areas were heard. This shows the will of the nursing staff to actively shape their working conditions instead of pushing themselves into a victim role.

a clear sign to the public

The protests are no longer just an internal topic. Nurses from all areas, including transport, outpatient clinic, laboratories and even trainees, join together to mobilize the public for their challenges. Events in beer gardens and stadiums attract hundreds of participants. "We often have the feeling that we let our patients down when we go on strike," explains Sohn. But the support of patients and society is clearly noticeable in this context.

ver.di refers to role models from other university clinics who have already successfully implemented a relief agreement. One example is the Charité in Berlin, which concluded the first collective agreement in 2021, and the university clinics in North Rhine-Westphalia, which also came to their contract in 2022 after a long strike. These contracts not only regulate minimum requirements for the occupation of the stations, but also create a system for compensation for nurses who suffer from overload.

First evaluations show that such a contract does not necessarily solve all problems immediately, but can increase the satisfaction of the staff and reduce the dismissal rates. In view of these facts, one wonders why the MHH does not also have an interest in such a contract. Inca Burow, spokeswoman for the MHH, admits that the employees have to be relieved, but indicates that the MHH cannot conclude its own collective agreement as a state -owned company. So far, a conversation with the staff council about a possible service agreement has not produced any specific results.

political hurdles and creative solutions

Political resistance to a relief agreement comes from the ranks of the SPD. Minister Mohrs emphasizes that such a contract cannot be legally enforced because the MHH would have to leave the collective bargaining community of the states (TDL), and this option is not for discussion. A possible way would be to convert the MHH into another model, similar to how it happened in North Rhine-Westphalia, where university hospitals act as corporations under public law or as foundations. However, Inka Burow emphasizes that both the renovation and the legal process could be lengthy and expensive.

ver.di representative David Matrai admits that no change in the legal form has been requested so far, since this could trigger fears before the conditions deteriorate. Nevertheless, he emphasizes that creativity in the negotiations is required to achieve a solution within the existing structure. "Ultimately, it is also a question of political will," emphasizes Matrai.

The anger of the nursing staff is obvious and persistent. On Wednesday, they stand again in front of the state parliament, hoping to find hearing in politics. Prime Minister Stephan Weil has already announced his visit. If there is no agreement, another warning strike can be expected after the last one was canceled due to technical details in front of the court. "We are better prepared next time," promises Matrai. The government will come under pressure as soon as possible to rethink their position and find serious solutions - for the nursing staff and their patients.