The doctors at the Santara clinics lacked patience: they went to court, threatening to go on strike

“It would be up to several thousand per employee in eight months. According to the respective hospital administration, this would amount to several million euros,” Vaidas Dirsė, head of the medical staff union at Clinicas Santara, told LNK News.

Doctors had long waited to reach an agreement with the management of the Santara beauty clinics. But the patience of the ignored doctors and nurses was lacking. Doctors who did not receive higher salaries flooded the Labor Disputes Commission with applications.

“The Labor Disputes Commission received more than 700 requests from the Santara Clinic staff. There are a total of 705 applications, ”said Audronė Baršienė, Advisor to the Labor Organization Division of the Labor Disputes Commissions.

Seven medical unions also went to court. The performances will begin in September.

In January, when the monthly minimum wage was raised, the salary of doctors had to go up 9 percent. This is what was agreed in the collective agreement signed three years ago by the Ministry of Medicine and the Ministry of Health (SAM).

But the ministry explains that the word “seek” is written on the paper, not “committed.”

“This year, when we had a banner year and had additional needs to pay combat bonuses, we generally couldn’t even dream of such opportunities from the beginning of the year, because the increase since January 1 would have meant even more debt for everyone. our Lithuanian citizens pay taxes, on behalf of, ”explained Živilė Simonaitytė, Deputy Minister of Health.

Auristida Gerliakienė, Chairperson of the Board of the Lithuanian Medical Movement, noted: “There are no amortization mechanisms in the budget planning of the Mandatory Social Insurance Fund (PSDF) that could fill the gaps if the situation changes.”

According to the head of the Santara clinics, the institution owes 8 million. euros. Paying that money to themselves, without funding from the ministry, would mean bankruptcy.

“To increase the salary it is necessary to have financial resources. And to have them, we had to charge an extra fee for our services. There is no other way to increase salaries ”, explained Feliksas Jankevičius, General Director of Clinicas Santara.

Obtaining additional funds and reaching an agreement with the doctors, according to the director, is scheduled for July. But failed. Now it is expected to be successful in the fall.

“Those financial opportunities to increase the price and at the same time increase the salaries of our employees will appear from September 1,” said F. Jankevičius.

According to the finance minister, money for doctors’ salaries could possibly appear in next year’s budget. As a result, negotiations are already underway. But it is not yet clear how much or what type of salary for doctors could increase.

“Next year, when the PSDF budget is approved, it is planned to also increase the salaries of doctors, taking into account that some supplements with COVID-19 will no longer be paid,” said Finance Minister Gintarė Skaistė.

Doctors will no longer be wrapped in promises and will promise to fight for higher wages to the end. If necessary, and attack.

“If we fail by legal or other means, a strike or other actions, I believe there will be,” promised V. Dirse.

SAM calculates that the salary of doctors should find a million and a half euros every month.