Doctors at municipal clinics in Germany go on warning strike

BERLIN

In an ongoing wage dispute, Germany's largest doctors' association is stepping up pressure on employers.

The Marburger Bund called for an all-day warning strike in municipal hospitals on Thursday in six German states.

It also expects several thousand participants to a central rally in Munich, a spokeswoman announced on Thursday.

Strikes are planned in the German states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland.

"Our members do not feel taken seriously by the employers so far," said Andreas Botzlar of the presidency of the federal association Marburger Bund.

"The impression suggests itself that the employers' side wants to drag out the collective bargaining," he told public broadcaster ARD.

According to the association, emergency treatment of patients is ensured in the affected clinics. Scheduled appointments and examinations, however, would have to be postponed in some cases, said a spokesman for the North Rhine-Westphalia state association.

The Marburger Bund is demanding a 2.5% increase in salaries from employers for approximately 55,000 doctors at municipal hospitals.

Compensation for price increases accumulated since the last pay increase in October 2021, effective Jan. 1, 2023, is also on the table.