The construction site was at a standstill. A gaping hole. The hospital staff was discontent. Yet, Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, proudly announced yesterday: “The people of Nice will have their 21st-century hospital.” Long awaited, Pasteur II is expected to be completed in three to four years for the most part. A renewable aid of 3 million euros over 20 years (out of a total budget of 300 million euros) has just been granted to the City, due to the financial difficulties faced by the hospital. This aid will be disbursed upon the conclusion of a financial recovery contract with the regional hospitalization agency. “The establishment’s deficit is 36 million euros this year and will be 50 million euros next year,” specified the “savior” of Pasteur II.
55 retirements not replaced
To understand how the situation reached this point, Christian Estrosi has requested an audit on the management of the previous general director of the hospital, Jean-Jacques Romatet. The question of the inventory of the establishment’s assets will also be raised. “The hospital is not meant to be a property manager,” assured the Mayor. “Selling them could, for example, be used to build housing.”
During the negotiations between the union representatives and the hospital’s board of directors, the main demand was no layoffs. After three meetings, one of which saw the Ministry of Health hosting local unions for the first time in its history, the various parties reached an agreement: out of the approximately 6,000 employees at the hospital, only 55 retirements (exclusively administrative staff) will not be replaced.
