Fight for collective agreement: MHH employees reveal their concerns!

Fight for collective agreement: MHH employees reveal their concerns!

The Hannover Medical School (MHH) is currently facing major challenges, both economically and in terms of employee satisfaction. However, Martina Saurin, Vice President of the MHH, expresses optimism. Despite practical difficulties, such as the insufficient refinancing of highly specialized services, she sees the situation as an opportunity for the institution. For example, social events, such as the summer party and the MHH birthday, continue to be organized in order to strengthen the team spirit of the employees and promote their identification with the university. The MHH was also active at the Hanover Marathon with numerous relay teams competing, supported by the MHH plus support foundation.

However, a pressing concern is the condition of the MHH daycare center, the “campus children”. Saurin is actively looking for an investor to build a new building to expand the care offerings. In addition, the university enjoys generous donations, including a significant donation of 500,000 euros from a former scientist, which helped bring the total donation amount to over one million euros.

Commitment to collective agreements and employee welfare

In parallel to these positive developments, MHH employees have recently raised their voices and stood up for their rights. There was a strike organized by the ver.di union. Although an emergency service agreement ensured that emergency care was maintained, the employees' unmistakable goal was clear: they were demanding a collective agreement to provide relief. In this context, numerous employees gathered in front of the Lower Saxony state parliament on August 28, 2023 to draw attention to their concerns.

Prime Minister Stephan Weil and other state politicians met the delegation, signaled their understanding, but rejected any negotiations. One reason for this is Lower Saxony's legal obligation, which does not allow collective bargaining in state-owned companies. This situation has not reduced the willingness of the employees, on the contrary: hundreds took part in the first warning strike on August 16, 2024 to insist on the urgency of their demands.

New collective agreement for doctors

In a separate but equally important context, a new collective agreement for doctors at university hospitals, including the MHH, was introduced. This collective agreement, negotiated by the Collective Bargaining Association of German States (TdL) and the Marburger Bund, is valid until March 31, 2026 and provides for a total salary increase of 10 percent, divided into two steps: 4 percent from April 1, 2024 and 6 percent from February 1, 2025. These measures are part of a comprehensive package, including a reduction in weekly working hours from 42 to 40 hours, effective from Comes into force on January 1, 2026 without any salary deductions.

This collective agreement also entails the introduction of electronic working time recording in order to adequately document and remunerate the work performed. The new regulation on rostering stipulates that rosters must be drawn up at least one month in advance, with a surcharge of 10 percent of the table fee being granted if the deadline is not met. In addition, night work will be clearly defined in the future, which represents an adaptation to the general conditions in other federal states.

Despite the challenges, both financial and personnel-related, Saurin remains confident. The planned application for university of excellence and the tranS/4mation project to modernize administrative processes are seen as central steps to make the MHH sustainable. In their eyes, the opportunities outweigh the risks, which gives employees hope for positive changes.