The question of the right to strike of nursing staff was raised this Friday before the administrative court of Rennes. The summary judge was examining the appeal brought by the CGT union against the requisitions of the midwives of the CHPB Keraudren in Brest (Elsan Group). On an indefinite strike since Monday, January 3, the employees were forced to come and work all week by a prefectural decree motivated by the need to ensure continuity of care.
Three regular midwives, who had received a notice from the bailiff, allowed themselves to strike. This was enough to lead to the transfer of two patients about to give birth on Thursday, January 6.
Tense social climate
“We disagree on the terms of requisitions, specifies Rozenn Cariou, CGT delegate at the Keraudren polyclinic. The challenge is to ensure respect for the fundamental freedom of the right to strike “. It evokes a tense social climate, with pressure from the hierarchy to discourage any walkout, while the maternity hospital is experiencing 10 to 15% absenteeism due to the Covid-19 epidemic.
The strike continues, symbolically
The request brought by the CGT was finally rejected by the administrative court, which considered that “the prefect of Finistère did not seriously and manifestly unlawful interference with the fundamental freedom that constitutes the right to strike”.
The union reserves the right to appeal to the Council of State. Despite this decision, the renewable strike continues next week in Keraudren as in 120 private maternity hospitals in the country, in particular to ask for the creation of a specific salary grid. One “movement of unprecedented magnitude” according to the CGT, but which will not be able to disrupt the activity.
We just want pay equity with the public