Hospital strike begins Thursday, no end in sight for controversy

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A one-day strike by hospital workers is scheduled for March 16, with no sign of agreement between the union and employers.

Scheduled surgeries were canceled at 64 facilities across the country, including the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek hospital in Amsterdam, which was the first to go on strike.

The hospital will operate a Sunday shift starting at 8:00 a.m. to allow emergency care to continue.

The union rejected a two-year salary proposal of 13%, arguing that an initial 5% increase would not be enough to make up for inflation that reached 10% last year.

They want an immediate 10% price increase, plus a flat rate increase of €100 and travel price increases to cover additional fuel costs.

“A 10% increase this year is fine, but spread it out over the course of the year is good enough.” FNV Union Officer Elise Merlijn said:“Now we need to improve the income of our employees.”

With hospital costs rising in response to the war in Ukraine and fuel and equipment becoming more expensive, medical administrators say demand is unaffordable.

They say an immediate wage hike could jeopardize an integrative medicine deal with Health Minister Ernst Kuipers.

Marjolein Tasche, executive chairman of Franciscus Gasthuis and Friedland Hospital in Rotterdam, said administrators face a “diabolical dilemma”. “We can only spend money once. We want to invest in new equipment and training to prepare people for digital healthcare and innovation.”