The Verdi Nord union has announced warning strikes at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) in Kiel and Lübeck for February 2 to 5. The strikes target economically vital areas, while emergency and acute care remains secured. Patients should expect restrictions in scheduled treatments.
In the public sector tariff dispute, the Verdi Nord union has called for warning strikes at the UKSH in Kiel and Lübeck from Monday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 5. The actions target specific areas such as operating rooms, radiological examinations, transfusion medicine, and the Center for Integrative Psychology (ZIP). Verdi emphasizes that emergencies and acute treatments will not be affected.
"There will be no endangerment of life and limb," assured Diana Zimmermann, deputy regional leader of Verdi Nord. She justified the strikes due to a lack of movement from employers: "We perceive no movement on the employers' side. If they don't want to hear us, we have to get louder."
The UKSH confirms that emergency and acute care is secured at both sites. However, the hospital anticipates significant restrictions in scheduled services. Patients whose appointments must be rescheduled will be personally informed, even on short notice. "Anyone with an appointment who has not received a cancellation can generally attend as planned – at the same time, the UKSH asks for understanding that delays and appointment changes may occur on strike days," states a hospital announcement.
The strikes are part of a series: Since mid-January, there have already been eight warning strike days at the UKSH, including last Thursday, when hundreds of employees from Kiel University (CAU) and the UKSH went on strike. Demands include a seven percent salary increase and better compensation for shift and night work.
UKSH CEO Jens Scholz respects the right to strike but calls for moderation: "We are surprised by the extent of the announced warning strikes even before the next negotiation round – eight warning strike days at the UKSH since mid-January – and appeal to all parties to keep the impacts on care, including in the scheduled sector, as minimal as possible." The next tariff round is scheduled for February 11 in Potsdam, with participation from Schleswig-Holstein's Finance Minister Silke Schneider (Greens).
