Warning strikes at the Dahme-Spreewald Clinic: Ver.di demands better wages!

Warning strikes at the Dahme-Spreewald Clinic: Ver.di demands better wages!

On July 15, 2025, the employees of the Dahme-Spreewald Clinic stand up because the ver.di union has called for warning strikes. Around 650 non-medical employees and 145 trainees at the clinic are affected on the campaign days. These include the Spreewald Clinic in Lübben and the Achenbach Hospital in Königs Wusterhausen, where the strikes will take place on July 17th and 18th. The reason for the work stoppages? Inconclusive collective bargaining that has been going on for some time.

In the discussions, Ver.di is demanding an 8 percent increase in wages and a care allowance of 141 euros per month. “The employees deserve better working conditions that are comparable to the standards in the public service,” emphasizes Ralf Franke, ver.di’s negotiator. Training allowances should also be increased so that young people can be offered fair prospects.

Strike as a last resort

A first round of negotiations took place on April 30, 2025, but without an agreement. On June 27, the employer submitted an offer, but it fell short of expectations and was rejected by the union. "We don't want a dispute here, we want better conditions. The current company collective agreement, which has existed since 2013, has already been terminated on March 31, 2025, which increases the pressure," explains Franke. The next round of negotiations is scheduled for June 29, 2025.

Also important for this discussion is the fact that the Dahme-Spreewald Clinic is majority owned by the Dahme-Spreewald district. This fact puts the employees in comparison to other institutions such as the Charité or the Vivantes clinics, where the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD) applies. “You just have to be fair,” says one employee.

Overarching developments in healthcare

The situation in the entire health sector is exciting. While ver.di is negotiating harder, there is positive news to report: An agreement between the Association of Municipal Employers' Associations (VKA) and the Marburger Bund has resulted in strikes at municipal hospitals being averted for the time being. The deal includes salary increases and improvements in working conditions, such as an increase in night pay.

"We are monitoring developments closely. The demands of the employees in our clinic must also be taken into account," explains Franke. It is high time for these protracted negotiations to reach a constructive conclusion so that all healthcare workers receive the recognition and fairness they deserve.

For everyone who would like to take a closer look at the background: DGB reports about the latest developments directly from the union, while ver.di provides detailed information on the claims. The VKA also highlights the latest successes in the tariff landscape of the health sector, which are also important for our region.