The Ségur de la Santé is set to conclude on July 3rd. According to them, negotiations are stalling and healthcare workers are not satisfied. The €300 million package announced by Olivier Véran to increase salaries does not seem to have changed anything.
“We have a lying president. The words he says are false,” says Christian Carzo, former CGT EDF-GDF agent. Everyone denounces the lack of resources and consideration.
Recurring Requests
“There must be a recurring and real salary increase for everyone, every month, regardless of their rank or status,” according to Claudine, a childcare assistant at the CHU in Nice. The health minister’s announcement is indeed unsettling. This funding is to be shared between private and public hospital staff.
Healthcare workers also criticize the management of hospitals, which are run like businesses: “Hospitals should be managed by doctors, not financiers or politicians.”
Retirees also voiced their anger. They feel abandoned by the State for several years. “I hope they’ll experience less unfortunate circumstances and see an increase in their pensions. Some live on €450 in retirement. How can you live on that? It’s impossible,” says Chantal Beaudet, a retired yellow vest protester.
Christian’s observation is clear: the problem was the lack of human resources, which was evident. During the crisis, some were more or less affected depending on the cities and sectors. “Hospital staff are not happy. They demand salary increases, which they don’t get. They ask for staff, and they are short 100,000 in hospitals and 300,000 in nursing homes.”
An Increasingly Isolated President
The municipal elections have only weakened him further. His decisions are increasingly being contested. “There are layoffs, yet we manage to give €5 billion to Renault and Air France, which are private companies. We only give €7 billion to hospital workers. Almost triple that amount is needed,” states Christian.
People no longer trust him. When hospital directors have to implement his decrees, they are often booed. “With the COVID crisis that hit us, he has been able to continue to lead us astray. We had an interaction with the deputy director of the CHU, but it was only contempt. He hides behind decrees,” explains Chantal.
Worsening Living and Working Conditions
We often think of retirees who regularly struggle to make ends meet. The problem often lies with the aid. Some are eligible, while others are not. Chantal has been disabled since 1981 and retired since 1984.
She manages to get by, which is not the case for all her acquaintances. According to Chantal, some might even be forced to eat “Canigou.” “For example, I am not entitled to the AAH (disability allowance for adults) because I worked. Those who receive it earn more than I do. There’s no justice in salaries and pensions.”
Hospital workers have been mobilized day and night and haven’t counted their hours. According to testimonies, staff members went from working 7-hour shifts to 12-hour daily shifts. The end of the white plan on July 1st has changed nothing.
