Healthcare Workers in Italy Poised for Contract Renewal with Wage Increase
Negotiations for the 2022-2024 healthcare contract near conclusion, promising a salary boost for nurses and lab technicians.
As Italy navigates the complexities of public sector negotiations, healthcare workers stand on the brink of a new contract agreement for the 2022-2024 triennium.
The Public Administration Agency (Aran), responsible for negotiating on behalf of the Italian state, is set to finalize discussions next week.
A series of meetings with trade unions are scheduled for January 13th and 14th, with the aim of concluding the renewal talks.
The upcoming contract will affect 581,148 professionals, including nurses, technicians, and non-managerial staff within Italy's healthcare sector.
The proposed contract includes an average gross monthly salary increase of approximately 172 euros, influenced by adjustments to allowances and the lifting of the cap on supplementary pay.
Nevertheless, the discussions continue on several issues, including the feasibility of implementing a shorter workweek, a proposal considered less viable in healthcare than in other public sectors.
Key negotiations will also address the criteria for professional roles and the removal of exclusivity restrictions for non-medical professionals.
Antonio Naddeo, President of Aran, is pressing for a swift agreement to ensure continuity in negotiations, emphasizing the accountability of all parties involved.
Parallel to these developments, Italy is witnessing a surge in resignations among doctors who are opting for freelance roles, colloquially known as 'gettonisti'.
This trend places an additional financial burden of approximately one billion euros, prompting the government's efforts to reduce reliance on external staff.
The funding landscape for this contract cycle has been set at 1.784 billion euros, with no further allocations anticipated until 2028-2030.
Breaking down the figures, the contracted salary increases include 175 million euros earmarked for emergency department staff, 57.16 million released by a 0.22% uptick in the cap on accessory salaries, 35 million for specialized nursing allowances, and 15 million for patient care allowances.
The core contractual resources amount to 1.501 billion, translating to a 145.1 euro monthly pay increase.
Discussions will also tackle the reduction of the minimum professional role requirement from 15 to 10 years, as well as providing nurses the opportunity to practice externally like their medical counterparts.
Union demands highlight the necessity for an exclusivity allowance for those opting out of external practice.
Furthermore, there is a push to limit on-call duties from 10 to 7 monthly shifts and the elimination of summer exceptions to prevent malpractice.
In light of increasing workplace aggression, unions are calling for clear accountability from healthcare organizations, including psychological support for victims and specific insurance coverage—issues that extend beyond the immediate contract discussions.
Union dynamics remain fluid.
Should the influential Cgil and Uil unions withdraw, the specialized nursing unions, Nursind and Nursing Up, could find themselves pivotal alongside Cisl and Fials, who collectively hold a 35.85% representation.
Nursind and Nursing Up represent 10.81% and 6.43% respectively of the workforce involved.
Ratifying the collective agreement requires the endorsement of unions representing at least 51% of the workforce.
The Public Administration Agency (Aran), responsible for negotiating on behalf of the Italian state, is set to finalize discussions next week.
A series of meetings with trade unions are scheduled for January 13th and 14th, with the aim of concluding the renewal talks.
The upcoming contract will affect 581,148 professionals, including nurses, technicians, and non-managerial staff within Italy's healthcare sector.
The proposed contract includes an average gross monthly salary increase of approximately 172 euros, influenced by adjustments to allowances and the lifting of the cap on supplementary pay.
Nevertheless, the discussions continue on several issues, including the feasibility of implementing a shorter workweek, a proposal considered less viable in healthcare than in other public sectors.
Key negotiations will also address the criteria for professional roles and the removal of exclusivity restrictions for non-medical professionals.
Antonio Naddeo, President of Aran, is pressing for a swift agreement to ensure continuity in negotiations, emphasizing the accountability of all parties involved.
Parallel to these developments, Italy is witnessing a surge in resignations among doctors who are opting for freelance roles, colloquially known as 'gettonisti'.
This trend places an additional financial burden of approximately one billion euros, prompting the government's efforts to reduce reliance on external staff.
The funding landscape for this contract cycle has been set at 1.784 billion euros, with no further allocations anticipated until 2028-2030.
Breaking down the figures, the contracted salary increases include 175 million euros earmarked for emergency department staff, 57.16 million released by a 0.22% uptick in the cap on accessory salaries, 35 million for specialized nursing allowances, and 15 million for patient care allowances.
The core contractual resources amount to 1.501 billion, translating to a 145.1 euro monthly pay increase.
Discussions will also tackle the reduction of the minimum professional role requirement from 15 to 10 years, as well as providing nurses the opportunity to practice externally like their medical counterparts.
Union demands highlight the necessity for an exclusivity allowance for those opting out of external practice.
Furthermore, there is a push to limit on-call duties from 10 to 7 monthly shifts and the elimination of summer exceptions to prevent malpractice.
In light of increasing workplace aggression, unions are calling for clear accountability from healthcare organizations, including psychological support for victims and specific insurance coverage—issues that extend beyond the immediate contract discussions.
Union dynamics remain fluid.
Should the influential Cgil and Uil unions withdraw, the specialized nursing unions, Nursind and Nursing Up, could find themselves pivotal alongside Cisl and Fials, who collectively hold a 35.85% representation.
Nursind and Nursing Up represent 10.81% and 6.43% respectively of the workforce involved.
Ratifying the collective agreement requires the endorsement of unions representing at least 51% of the workforce.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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