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Vienna is increasing the allowances for staff in the hospitals of the Vienna Healthcare Association (WIGEV). This was announced by Viennese Mayor Michael Ludwig at a press conference on Friday with the responsible members of the city government and representatives of WIGEV and the trade union. The measures are to take effect on February 1, 2024, with an additional 150 million euros being made available for this purpose.
There will be more money for all professional groups, not just doctors, as has been emphasized. The bonuses for working on Sundays and public holidays will be increased. The night duty allowance and the bonus for standing in for colleagues who are unable to work will be improved.
A training offensive was also announced. There will be an increase in the number of training positions, such as those in healthcare and nursing or advanced medical-technical services. The quota of training periods for doctors will also be extended. Doctors can also access a 1,000 euro “training allowance.”
Increased bonuses
The steps presented are the first phase of the personnel package. Another is to follow. The aim is then to focus more intensively on the salary scheme. According to City Councillor for Health Peter Hacker, comparisons were also made with other hospital operators in Austria. Result: “We are in the lower average range.”
However, the situation is often difficult to compare, he emphasized. Although the basic salary is lower, secondary employment is prohibited in other federal states; for example, there are only twelve salaries in Germany and Switzerland. For a new scheme, more in-depth discussions are still needed, which is why a change will only be made in the second phase, said Hacker.
However, the changes to allowances and bonuses have already been finalized. For example, the Sunday and public holiday bonuses will increase from 13.50 to 18.50 euros per hour for doctors and from 4.65 euros to 10 euros for other professional groups. WIGEV General Director Evelyn Kölldorfer-Leitgeb presented calculations on the overall impact of the modification.
In nursing, for example, those affected could earn around 450 euros more gross per month. A telephone operator could earn around 550 euros more. According to WIGEV, doctors in shortage occupations can expect an increase of around 870 euros.
“Medical association played no role”
It was important not to reduce the measures to one professional group, said Christian Meidlinger from the trade union with whom the package was negotiated. Meidlinger also mentioned that working-time models would be studied in the future. This could lead to shorter working hours in some areas, he explained.
Mayor Ludwig noted that motivated staff who are paid according to their performance are a cornerstone of healthcare in Vienna. “It all shows how seriously we take social partnership,” he said. On the other hand, the doctors’ professional association was not a discussion partner, as City Councillor Hacker explained: “The Medical Association did not play a role.”
They immediately let it be known that they saw this as an omission. The measures were inadequate, according to a reaction sent to the APA. “Perhaps the city is talking to the wrong people,” speculated Stefan Ferenci, chairman of the “Kurie angestellte Ärzte.” There is “not a cent” more basic salary, except for new doctors in shortage areas. This is not a big package.
It is good that something has been considered for nursing. But even there, the basic salary is not actually being increased, criticized the chamber representative. This would not make the system more attractive.
- source: APA/picture:
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