Doctors at university hospitals receive ten percent more salary and have to work two hours less per week. This adjustment is part of an agreement between the collective bargaining association of German states (TdL) and the Marburger Bund medical association. Both sides had already reached an agreement on Tuesday morning, but consultation in the collective bargaining committees was still pending. The Marburger Bund has now announced its approval.
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According to the compromise, salaries will increase by four percent in a first step on April 1, 2024 and by six percent in a second step on February 1, 2025. This means that doctors will receive a total of ten percent more salary within ten months.
The average weekly working time will also be reduced from 42 to 40 hours with full wage compensation. Taking into account this reduction in working hours and the compound interest effect, the actual salary increase over the total term of 30 months is 15.75 percent according to the Marburger Bund. The new collective wage agreement runs until March 31, 2026.
No increased shift premiums
The new working time regulations, which apply to over 20,000 doctors at 23 university hospitals, now put them on the same level as their colleagues in other hospitals. The medical association said there has long been a 40-hour week regulated by collective agreements there.
Susanne Johna, the chairwoman of the Marburger Bund, praised the salary increase and reduction in working hours. However, a reorganization of the shift and alternating shift system was not up for negotiation, she said. She criticizes the states’ continued refusal to set higher surcharges for services at inconvenient times. Nevertheless, in her opinion, the positive aspects outweigh the negatives.
“Both parties to the collective agreement have taken responsibility and reached a viable agreement in the fifth round of negotiations,” said the TdL negotiator, Schleswig-Holstein Finance Minister Monika Heinold (Greens). The doctors went on strike several times during collective bargaining.
Doctors at university hospitals receive ten percent more salary and have to work two hours less per week. This adjustment is part of an agreement between the collective bargaining association of German states (TdL) and the Marburger Bund medical association. Both sides had already reached an agreement on Tuesday morning, but consultation in the collective bargaining committees was still pending. The Marburger Bund has now announced its approval.
According to the compromise, salaries will increase by four percent in a first step on April 1, 2024 and by six percent in a second step on February 1, 2025. This means that doctors will receive a total of ten percent more salary within ten months.