The employees of 20 Biofusion laboratories in Tarn-et-Garonne, Haute-Garonne and Lot have been on strike since Tuesday.

They are asking for more resources in the face of the influx of patients who want to be tested, as well as a salary increase and the payment of a Covid premium. 

REPORTAGE

This is one of the first strikes in a medical biology laboratory since the multiplication of PCR tests in France.

Since Tuesday, the 20 Biofusion laboratories in Tarn-et-Garonne, Haute-Garonne and Lot have been closed due to a social movement and are only treating priority cases.

Employees denounce a lack of resources in the face of the influx of patients, but also demand a salary increase and the payment of a "Covid bonus."

Europe 1 interviewed these overwhelmed employees.

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"The secretary almost got hit"

The strikers denounce in particular the lack of resources and personnel.

As the time frame for getting test results increases, many patients are even aggressive.

"The Covid, these are people who insult you from 7:30 in the morning. As soon as there is a positive case they all want to be tested, even the boyfriend of the boyfriend of the boyfriend. The secretary even almost got hit last week by a patient who complained that things were not going fast enough ", denounces Christelle, an employee.

"We can do nothing if there are five days of waiting for the results. We do with what we have and with the means we are given," she laments.

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"Problems for many years"

CFDT union delegate Catherine Bellenque explains that the coronavirus crisis has exacerbated problems of lack of recognition that have lasted for years.

"We have technicians who have two years of study who end their career with not even 2,000 euros. People no longer accept it. The health crisis has shown that they are essential and that there is no thank you . There have been problems for many years. People can no longer take it and it's exploding, "she protested.

The unions (FO, CGT and CFDT) are asking for an increase in wages and an extension of the Covid bonus of 250 euros, which very few have touched.

The amount of this bonus is considered "derisory" by Catherine Bellenque, "in comparison to the investment of the staff whether they are couriers, secretaries, technicians, nurses".

Employee representatives are therefore demanding the payment of a Covid premium of 1,000 euros "without attribution conditions".