Attack at Helios-Klinik as portrayed in a publication

Attack at Helios-Klinik as portrayed in a publication

Fight for Fairness: The Unyielding Strike at Helios Clinic Berlin-Buch

Winter's chilly breezes churn the sidewalks white as the ongoing labor strife at Helios Clinic Berlin-Buch grabs headlines. With snowballing tension following its initial warning strikes in January, the employees of Helios Therapy East GmbH (HTO) have been on an unwavering strike for a staggering 25 days.

HTO employs a diverse team of physiotherapists, ergotherapists, speech therapists, and art therapists, spun off from its parent company in 2012. Unfortunately, this separation led to a disconnection from the corporate tariff, causing therapists to endure wage disparities of up to 1500 euros compared to their counterparts at other Helios clinics. According to the Verdi union, a mighty force advocating for the employees, the management of HTO—aligning with the clinic management—needs to negotiate a contract for equalization with the corporate tariff.

In response to queries, the corporation claims to be contemplating various possibilities for a tariff binding for their therapists. However, as per Gisela Neunhöffer, union secretary at Verdi, the recent proposal from the employers offers only meager wage increases and no agreement on equalization with the corporate tariff. "This proposal was firmly rejected by the workforce," she asserted. Since then, there have been no further dialogues from the management, and the strike has remained robust, with 20 to 30 colleagues on strike every day while approximately ten employees continue to work—for 1000 beds.

The talks remain open at Verdi, and they have even suggested a gradual equalization, although immediate implementation could also be possible, said Neunhöffer. "In fact, integration into the parent company would be appropriate, but we cannot demand that tariff-wise," she added, shedding light on the complicated dynamics at play. She also pointed out that the Berlin-Buch location is a significant revenue source for the corporation still producing hundreds of millions in profits.

Art therapist Manuel Breuer at Helios Clinic Berlin-Buch echoes the sentiment of injustice and disrespect, considering his salary to be low compared to his training, especially when contrasted with his colleagues at other Helios locations. Due to the significantly worse working conditions, Breuer and many others have chosen to leave the clinic, cutting the number of therapists from 84 to 54. Of these, 40 are union members.

The effects of the ongoing strike are evident, as certain services may no longer be available to patients, and ergotherapy, for instance, has been suspended. The scarcity of therapists is a chronic issue in Berlin's healthcare system, and Neunhöffer raises concerns about the clinic's adherence to its duty as a maximum provider in the Berlin northeast. It's worth taking a closer look at whether the Helios Clinic is truly fulfilling its obligations under the Berlin Hospital Plan, which expires this year.

The therapists at Helios Clinic Emil von Behring in Zehlendorf, like most Helios clinics, are employed by the parent company and receive their salaries according to the corporate tariff. Neunhöffer contends that the disparity between therapists in Buch and their colleagues in Zehlendorf is indicative of East-West discrimination. Regardless, the labor dispute's outcome remains uncertain. With each passing day, the strike's financial impact grows, yet strike pay can only partially bridge the gap in lost wages.

Art therapist Manuel Breuer, who has been at the forefront of the strike, shares his sentiments, "At the beginning, we were all inexperienced with strikes, and we held onto hope. Now, it's difficult. We're doing everything possible to maintain our resolve and fighting spirit. We will continue to organize actions and demonstrations to boost awareness of our situation, and we need political support." A sizable portion of the staff supports the therapists, with over seven hundred employees signing a petition in solidarity.

1. The fight for fairness extends beyond physical health as mental-health professionals at Helios Clinic Berlin-Buch advocate for workplace-wellness, aiming to bridge the wage disparities within the health-and-wellness industry.
2. The finance sector of the corporate Helios Clinic has come under scrutiny as the Science industry watches the labor dispute unfold, questioning the ethical implications of the wage disparity between therapists at different clinic locations.
3. The ongoing strike at Helios Clinic Berlin-Buch is not just a battle for equality in wages, but a broader industry movement aiming to prioritize mental-health and create a healthier, more unified work environment.

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