Around 200 workers from Essen university clinic walked off the job Monday demanding better employment conditions. According to the labor union a minimal amount of workers stayed on to take care of patients.
Labor union chief Frank Bsirske expressed demands to increase wages by 5.5%, improve job security and guarantee employment for trainee workers. According to him, the demands are justified because of the recent tax increase.
"Anyone who expects good work from qualified workers has to pay them properly," he said.
The next step in a series of strikes expected on Tuesday when 200,000 teachers over the country a due to stop working. Additional strikes may include the coast guard, street repair crews and state administrative offices.
