State doctors and Okypy clash again: 48-hour strike called
State hospital doctors will be going on a 48-hour strike at the end of the month, Pasyki union announced on Wednesday after another failed attempt to clinch a deal with state health services (Okypy).
The point of contention lies with financial incentives the doctors want paid out for 2023. A study by an independent audit firm in July put the sum at €2.5 million, while unions seek €4.5m.
A meeting held earlier in the day aimed at bridging the differences yielded no results, and according to Pasyki head Sotiris Koumas, the strike will be carried out at the end of the month.
Koumas called the €2.5 million a “disgraceful and offensive sum”. An exact date for the strike has not been set yet and it remains unclear if E&A departments will participate.
He charged the study was ready since September “but for some reason, they did not have the honesty and courage to inform us.”
Koumas called on the health minister to take a stance. “He is the political chief, he appoints the Okypy board and had a personal involvement in the negotiations.”
“Doctors are on the front line day and night,” he added.
The union head also said discussions for 2024 incentives will not be carried out in parallel with this year’s talks.
“Okypy’s proposal for 2023 was rejected. Our position is that we will not discuss for 2024, 2025 or 2027 if a deal isn’t struck for 2023,” he said.
“We are demanding doctor’s earnings for 2023.”