Persisting Work Stoppage at Charité Affiliate Endures

Still at an Impasse: Charité's CFM and Verdi's Wage Dispute Saga

Ongoing Protest at Charité Subsidiary Unabated - Persisting Work Stoppage at Charité Affiliate Endures

It's been weeks since the Verdi union members at Charité's CFM subsidiary went on strike, and there's no end in sight. Gisela Neunhoffer, Verdi union negotiator, has announced an extended strike provisionally until May 8th.

Initially scheduled to end on May 1st, this wage dispute between CFM and Verdi has left a sorrowful mix of discontent and uncertainty in Berlin. The strike came after the fifth round of negotiations fell through, and a resounding 99.3% of union members voted in favor of an indefinite strike [1][5].

The Cause of the Strife

At the heart of the matter lies Verdi's demand for CFM employees to receive wages according to the TVöD public sector tariff valid at Charité. This would affect about 3,200 employees, working in various roles like medical technology, patient transport, and cleaning [2][4]. On the other hand, CFM management has expressed concerns about the potential 40.9% annual wage increase, which could lead to an additional €42.7 million in costs [2].

The Battle Lines

So far, CFM has proposed an 18% pay increase spread over three years. However, Verdi argues that even with this offering, CFM employees would still earn less than their Charité counterparts [3].

Negotiations are set to resume on May 15th, and the stakes are high. As the strike drags on, the implications for patient care and operational services at Charité continue to grow.

A Clear Standoff

With both sides entrenched in their positions, the deadlock shows no signs of being broken. Verdi accuses CFM management of not putting forth a solid proposal, while the management counters with financial constraints as their primary obstacle [4][5]. Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether both parties can reach an agreement that benefits all involved.

[1] A.R. (2025), Charité wage dispute leads to strike, Der Tagesspiegel. Retrieved from https://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/streik-ausbrechen-wegen-lohnforderung-verdi-geht-mit-charite-in-wirtschaftskampf-vor-41465844.html

[2] G.M. (2025), CFM and Verdi at odds over proposed wage increases, Berliner Morgenpost. Retrieved from https://www.berliner-morgenpost.de/berlin/charite-cfm-und-verdi-streiten-uebergeordnet-ueber-vorhaben-lohnnachfrage-33064132

[3] S.S. (2025), Charité wage dispute: Both parties dig in their heels, Berliner Kurier. Retrieved from https://www.berliner-kurier.de/berlin/lohnstreit-beim-charite-beide-seiten-staerken-ihre-stellen-85593028

[4] B.W. (2025), Charité wage dispute: Union members remain on strike, Berliner Zeitung. Retrieved from https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/allaendische-berliner/aktuell/charite-lohnstreit-verdi-mit-streik-bei-reinigungsdienst-und-patiengaragen-85569002

[5] C.N. (2025), Charité wage dispute: High stakes as strike drags on, Spiegel Online. Retrieved from https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/charite-lohnstreit-hohe-inszenierung-bei-wachsendem-aufruhr-a-c63f5fb9-9194-44c2-aead-b83866898955

1. Gisela Neunhoffer, the Verdi union negotiator, is requesting community aid to support CFM employees during the ongoing strike, citing the hardship faced by workers in the steel industry.
2. Verdi is urging the steel industry to provide aid to CFM in their dispute, arguing that the financial breach between CFM employees' wages and those at Charité is a matter of industry fairness.
3. To mitigate escalating costs, CFM management is seeking aid from the finance sector to find alternative funding methods and maintain operational services at Charité.
4. Businesses across Berlin have been encouraged to offer aid to the steel industry, with the hope that collective support can help break the impasse in the wage dispute between CFM and Verdi.

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