German health care workers go on strike amid ongoing wage dispute
Workers in several clinics in the western German city of Cologne as well as in the northern city of Hamburg and the central state of Hesse joined the industrial action, trade union verdi told dpa, with employees from more than 200 health facilities expected to strike.
Rallies were planned in the cities of Hamburg, Bochum, Cologne, Solingen, Mannheim and Berlin, according to the union.
Patients should expect restrictions, while verdi noted that emergency care was available for those in need.
A representative for the VKA municipal employers' associations, Niklas Benrath criticized the industrial action, saying strikes in the health care sector "primarily harm citizens."
The strike comes as the union is trying to increase pressure on the federal government and municipalities ahead of a third round of talks on a collective wage agreement covering some 2.5 million public sector workers, including health care employees, educators, bus drivers and firefighters.
Both sides are set to meet near Berlin from March 14 to 16, with the employer side hoping for a "sustainable solution."
Verdi is demanding an 8% pay rise - worth a minimum of €350 ($365) - as well as higher bonuses and three additional days off.
Employers have rejected the demands as unaffordable, with Benrath saying the core demands would mean additional costs of around 11% for municipalities, or a loss of €15 billion annually.
Another strike is planned for Friday, including in kindergartens.
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