"Ségur de la santé": Jean Castex promises 7.5 billion euros for hospitals

A dramatic blow to the "Ségur de la santé": the new Prime Minister Jean Castex was invited, Tuesday, July 7, to a decisive meeting with the unions, announcing an extension of more than a billion euros for wages and adding "employment issues" to the bargaining menu.

The surprise was revealed shortly after 7 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," said Jean Castex.

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

The Prime Minister, who took office on Friday, stayed for about an hour, before letting Olivier Véran continue the discussions. "He showed his commitment", assured his entourage, evoking a "strong symbol".

Above all, he did not come empty-handed. "I announced an envelope of 7.5 billion euros", 1.1 billion more than the envelope proposed last week to upgrade non-medical personnel, he said.

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This increase "is significant, on a basis that was already historic," insisted Matignon. The executive had already conceded on Thursday a first extension of 400 million, bringing to 6.4 billion the envelope for hospital staff.

"It is far too little"

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 can not exceed 165 euros. It is far too little," said a union official Tuesday evening, regretting not "being heard".

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At this stage, "the trade unions are not satisfied with the proposals," confirmed a second union source, calling on the government to give itself "the additional means" to "reach" an agreement. Negotiations, interrupted after six hours of talks, must resume Wednesday at 2 p.m.

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.

15,000 job creations offered

While the increase in membership demanded by the unions has not been part of the discussion until now, 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" the "Ségur" quickly, with a "memorandum of understanding" finalized by Thursday and submitted for signature by Friday. This leaves little room for negotiation.

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Same tempo for hospital doctors who must be received at the ministry Wednesday at 4 p.m. Dissatisfied with the 600 million euros of revaluations which were offered to them last week, hospital, internal and student practitioners hope for at least double this.

Other subjects should also be the subject of simple recommendations, including investment, for which several billion euros are also mentioned.

Decisions are also expected in the area of ​​"simplification", notably with a rebalancing of power between directors and hospital doctors, and in the area of ​​territorial reorganization of the health system.

Emmanuel Macron, who will speak on July 14, could himself announce the result of this vast consultation launched at the end of May and supposed to give concrete form to the "massive plan" promised at the height of the coronavirus epidemic.

With AFP

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