Collective bargaining agreement at Cottbus University Hospital: Better wages and less work!

Collective bargaining agreement at Cottbus University Hospital: Better wages and less work!

A ray of hope for the employees of the Medical University of Lausitz - Carl Thiem (MUL-CT)! After intensive collective bargaining, which concluded last Thursday, an agreement was reached that gradually increases remuneration to 99.5% of TVöD. The new regulations affect around 2,350 employees and 570 trainees at MUL-CT and represent a clear step towards appreciation, as Niederlausitz aktuell reports.

At the beginning of July 2025, the table fees will rise to 99% of the new TVöD, while the 99.5% should be reached from August 2026. This also involves a reduction in working hours to 38.5 hours per week, which is to be reduced to 38 hours from January 1, 2026. Employees can also look forward to higher bonuses and an additional day of vacation from 2027. These adjustments are not only a ray of hope, they also give healthcare workers the feeling that their contributions are recognized.

A win for trainees

Ver.di has also made a strong commitment to the trainees. They can look forward to an additional 75 euros per month in their training allowance retroactively from April 1, 2025. A further bonus of 75 euros will be added from May 2026, while the weekly training time will be reduced to 38.5 hours. These changes are particularly significant as they increase the attractiveness of the labor market for future generations in the healthcare sector, as the union underlines<ver.di>.

However, this agreement is not only important for MUL-CT. The entire industry is currently experiencing change. For example, there was recently a breakthrough in collective bargaining for over 61,000 doctors in municipal hospitals. This agreement brings with it salary increases and improvements in working conditions, showing that there is a noticeable increase in pressure on hospital services to improve working conditions. The Association of Municipal Employers' Associations was able to reach a collective agreement that not only includes salary increases, but also higher surcharges for night, weekend and holiday services.

Where is the journey going?

The development of MUL-CT is part of a comprehensive development of university medicine, which is expected to cost around 3.7 billion euros by 2038, with more than half of this amount being borne by the federal government. The first students are scheduled to begin their medical studies in the winter semester of 2026/27. This early agreement in collective bargaining not only offers relief, but also planning security for everyone involved. We are working together to ensure that the health system remains strong in the future and that employees benefit from it.

In summary, it can be said that the agreement on the MUL-CT represents a positive signal for the entire industry and not only provides employees with better conditions, but also increased appreciation. At a time when the shortage of skilled workers poses enormous challenges for the healthcare system, this is a step in the right direction.