Getting work done is “impossible”: state employees are on strike in Freiburg

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Employees of the youth care office in the canton of Friborg are on strike. They demand better staffing. The State Council deeply regrets the strike, as announced by the Freiburg government.

The staff tried several times to warn the responsible authorities that they were overloaded, the Freiburg Federation of Trade Unions (FGB) said on Monday. The workers’ demands were not heard. After no solution could be found at the arbitration committee, the staff decided to go on strike.

According to the FGB, the employees indicated that they cannot perform their work properly because they have to process more and more files and there are not enough staff available. Increasing the number of jobs is far from sufficient. The health of staff and the safety of the children in their care are at risk.

According to the unions, the vast majority are on strike

In a press release, the Freiburg SP announced that the resources provided in the 2024 budget “absolutely do not enable” employees to do their work adequately. The party will speak on the issue during the Grand Council session that starts on Tuesday.

The Council of State deeply regrets the actions of the strikers, it announced on Monday. This was at a time when great efforts were being made on behalf of youth care. The agency should get about 14 new positions between 2023 and 2024, it said.

In its statement, the Council of State called the number of strikers a minority. Unions, on the other hand, spoke of a large majority of staff.

State Council does not want to meet strikers

The Council of State did not want a meeting with the staff on Monday. He was of the opinion that such a meeting would not yield a solution at this stage, given the numerous discussions that had taken place. Representatives of the State Council and staff of the Youth Welfare Office have already met twice for mediation meetings.

However, the State Council will continue to closely monitor developments in the agency’s situation and will take measures if necessary, either as in 2023 due to the development of certain files or in the context of the next estimate dates, the Council said.

In a press release, the employees of the Youth Care Office and the VPOD union regretted that they could not meet with State Councilor Philippe Demierre, who is responsible for the file. They decided to march in a demonstration to the Directorate of Health and Social Affairs. (SDA)

Source:Blick