SVZ workers demand a raise

The workers at the Sint Vincentius Ziekenhuis (SVZ) went on a partial strike on Monday. The workers reportedly do not work from 7 a.m. until noon. They get busy in the afternoon. The union reportedly took charge of the strike on Tuesday.

The decision to take charge of the strike was made at a union meeting. The workers complained that they have not received a raise in a long time and they think that management has bribed the union. The workers also complained that management rarely communicates with them and that they deem this very unprofessional. Union Chairman Roy Haverkamp pointed out that union officials negotiated with management twice in October and that they reported everything back to the union members on both occassions. The officials reportedly informed the union members that they are “on speaking terms with management” and that they will keep the workers up to speed on everything. The union chairman pointed out that the union has already presented the workers’ demands to management. The workers want a raise, better secondary benefits and uniform allowance. The last time the workers received a raise was in 2014. Last week the workers sent a letter to the board to inform it that they would go on strike on Monday. The union chairman made it clear that there is no conflict between the board and the management team at SVZ. The union has granted dispensation to the kitchen workers who are tasked with providing food to the patients. The union has also granted dispensation to the surgery room and the technical division. The hospital’s pharmacy only handles urgent cases.