Stroke at the "Ségur de la santé": Prime Minister Jean Castex invited himself Tuesday to a meeting with the unions, announcing an extension of more than a billion euros for wages and adding "the questions of jobs ”on the negotiating menu. The surprise was revealed shortly after 7:00 p.m. by a tweet from the head of government, accompanied by a photo showing him alongside Minister of Health Olivier Véran and "Ségur" host Nicole Notat.
Prior to the conclusion of the Ségur de la Santé, I opened the negotiation meeting with the paramedics. I announced an envelope of 7.5 billion euros, and insisted that employment issues also be included in the negotiations. pic.twitter.com/D5pyU02vM6
- Jean Castex (@JeanCASTEX) July 7, 2020The Prime Minister stayed for about an hour before letting Olivier Véran continue the discussions. "He showed his commitment," assured his entourage. Above all, Jean Castex did not come empty-handed. "I announced an envelope of 7.5 billion euros", 1.1 billion more than that proposed last week to upgrade non-medical personnel, he said.
Disappointed unions
Despite this new financial gesture, the unions said they were disappointed Tuesday evening with this new negotiation session. In question: the allocation of the envelope between general increase, revision of salary scales and redesign of bonuses. The unions have long demanded an additional 300 euros net for all hospital workers in the public sector. But the government wants to extend the measure to the private sector and introduce a share of collective “profit-sharing” in remuneration.
“With these measures, the envelope available for the general increase in wages cannot exceed 165 euros. It is far too little, "said a union official, regretting not" being heard. " At this stage, "the unions are not satisfied with the proposals," confirmed a second union source, calling on the government to give itself "the additional means".
The workforce, another point of tension
For unions, a second point is causing tension: that of the workforce. During his speech, Jean Castex indicated that he "insisted that employment issues should also be included in the negotiations". "Each hospital will be invited to carry out a shared diagnosis of the situation of its staff (vacancies, absenteeism, training needs ...) and its activities," said the entourage of the Prime Minister.
While the increase in membership demanded by unions has so far not been part of the discussion, 15,000 job creations are now on the table, according to a union source, who evokes a "positive point". But these hirings would be financed from the same envelope as the salary increases. What the unions oppose, which threatens not to sign the agreement proposed by the government.
According to a participant, the Prime Minister wants to "conclude" quickly the "Ségur", with a "memorandum of understanding" finalized by Thursday. Negotiations, interrupted after six hours of talks, must resume Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.
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- Negotiation
- Hospital
- Jean Castex
- Olivier Véran
- Union
- Health