Breakthrough in Wage Struggle: Charité Facility Management and Verdi Strike a Preliminary Deal
Labor conflict at Charité's subsidiary CFM has been settled - Collective Bargaining Dispute Resolution at Charité-affiliated CFM
It's time to spill the tea on the latest developments in the ongoing wage dispute between Charité Facility Management (CFM) and Verdi. The final agreement still requires approval from the union members, but a vote is imminent. If all goes as planned, Verdi members could cast their ballots within the next few days, with a deadline set for July 4.
If the agreement is approved, employees of CFM, who total around 3,500 across various departments including medical technology, patient transport, cleaning, and security, can look forward to their wages gradually aligning with the public service sector agreement at Charité. The first adjustment will be backdated to June 1, 2025, with full alignment anticipated by January 1, 2030. In addition, Verdi members can expect an extra day of vacation every half-year until 2029.
The strike, which lasted a staggering 48 days, was initiated to demand higher wages. And it seems like the union's persistence has paid off. Mehmet Yilmaz, a member of the Verdi wage committee, described the outcome as a "monumental leap" towards achieving equal treatment with Charité employees.
However, it's essential to note that the agreement does not Consider any adjustments to the working conditions of Charité employees - a point that the union has previously demanded. Although this is a compromise, it may come off as a sore spot for some.
Juliane Kaufmann, the Managing Director of CFM, expressed her satisfaction with the reached agreement. "We're stoked to have hammered out a deal after intense wage negotiations. This is fantastic news for the employees of CFM. In total, we've found a solid compromise that significantly boosts the wages of employees in the lower wage brackets and offers an attractive wage for specialists," she said.
Berlin's governing mayor, Kai Wegner, also weighed in, praising the improved pay as a major step forward. "I'm thrilled that a solution has finally been found in Berlin after years of deliberations - and that good work is now being adequately rewarded," the CDU politician added.
While the dust settles on this wage agreement, let's keep our eyes peeled for the union's vote and the potential impact on the wage disparities between CFM employees and their counterparts at Charité and across the German healthcare sector.
- Charité
- CFM
- Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft (United Services Trade Union)
- Tariff dispute
- Berlin
[1] Initial offering by CFM: a 18% raise over three years, as reported by various sources.
In light of the preliminary deal between Charité Facility Management (CFM) and Verdi, vocational training programs for employees in medical technology, patient transport, cleaning, and security departments might receive additional funding. The finance sector, including banking and insurance, might witness changes due to the potential increase in operating costs for CFM following the wage adjustment.
The decision-making process for vocational training initiatives and policy-and-legislation changes may be influenced by the outcome of the vote, as the agreement awaits approval from Verdi members. In the general news, the political implications of this breakthrough in the wage struggle are likely to be discussed, with the strike's impact on the industry and business sector being closely monitored.
Once the agreement is approved, the community policy for both CFM and Verdi will need to be updated, reflecting the new wage structure. Further Vocational training could benefit from the revised agreement, providing employees with opportunities for continuous learning and skill development.
Given the lengthy and successful strike by Verdi members, it may inspire other unions in similar situations to pursue negotiations for improved working conditions and fair wages, thereby setting a precedent for future labor disputes.