Originally posted by Zibi
...If it was a minor strike, then Strehl wouldn't sue the government demanding a compensation of 128 million dollars.
Of course it was a minor strike.
It was the strike of 38 german University Clinics (and a few State Hospitals). All in all about 13.000 physicians laid down their work (though basic
and emergency treatment was still provided).
Although some of the clinics that were impacted by the strike were among the largest in Germany, their number is dwarfed by the total amount of over
2100 hospitals in Germany, with a staff of physicians close to
120.000. In relation this means that less than 10% of the german hospital physicians laid
down their work (because the number of physicians providing basic health care in the university clinics during the strike were officially "on
strike", too, but effectively didnt stop working).
It also means that 1.8% of the german hospitals were on strike. To be honest however, as these clinics are of among the largest, it is more relevant
to count their potency in number of patients treated. According to the
VUD website these 38
Clinics account for 12% of all treated patients in Germany.
So still, with roughly 10% of german healthcare institutions and physicians on strike, this undeniably IS a minor strike. Completely unrelated to the
numbers and severity of the strike are the political implications and consequences, which I personally doubt this member is willing (or able?) to
understand.
In short, the sole reason why the VUD quoted in the news article is advocating (not yet sueing, another inaccuracy) a refund by the german federal and
state governments is that these state-operated University Clinics operate under civil services tariffs and -regulations - unlike an "usual" strike
by employees of the private business sector.
[edit on 1/6/2006 by Lonestar24]
