Currently on strike against job and bed cuts which would result in “a deterioration in the support provided to children”, the staff explained the reasons for their anger.
The pressure is not letting up at the CHU. This Tuesday, July 2, employees of the pediatric surgery department invited themselves into the Colombière building where the CSE (Social and Economic Committee) was being held. On unlimited strike since Monday, July 1, and supported by the inter-union (CGT, FO, CFDT, UNSA), these agents explained the reasons for their opposition to the measures announced by the general management.
The latter has announced its wish to eliminate three positions of pediatric nurse and one of pediatric assistant in the pediatric surgery department. This project is accompanied by the closure of three beds during the week and six at the weekend. For the management, these moves are motivated by a redistribution “of the hospitalization capacities of the various departments making up the Women, Mothers, Children division. It is in this context that it was decided to increase the gynecological surgery department by 10.2 posts, whose activity must be supported, by mobilizing 4.5 pediatric surgery posts.”
“Support must take precedence over profitability”
“If they want staff in gynecology, they just have to hirereplies Pierre Renard, CGT delegate. During the CSE, the agents explained that caring for children required significant support, which sometimes took time. For them, it is obvious that this must take precedence over profitability and bed occupancy rates, but this does not seem obvious to management. However, the Pediatrics Conference showed that the agents’ requests – one childcare worker for five children – were appropriate. If we move to one for ten, we will put caregivers and children at risk.”
If the strike, “supported by doctors”will continue, the unions are looking for solutions. “We have again proposed a six-month deadline. But in the meantime, the reform will be put to a vote in the CSE on July 25. The unions will be able to vote against it, but will not be able to express their views for a fortnight later. Just like the end of temporary work or the modification of the organization of other services, we cannot move forward constructively if there is no dialogue.”
