Ajaccio Hospital Strike Ends with Agreement on Staffing and Investment
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A memorandum of understanding signed on Tuesday, October 15, brought an end to a tense standoff between the STC Castelluccio union and the management of the Ajaccian hospital center, resolving a dispute centered on staffing shortages and resource allocation. The agreement follows a two-day occupation of the Corsica regional health agency by protesting workers demanding immediate action.
Union Demands and Initial Disruption
The social movement began on October 8, with the STC section of the hospital filing a 10-day strike notice. This action escalated on October 13 with the occupation of the Corsica regional health agency’s premises, disrupting operations and highlighting the urgency of the situation. Striking agents were primarily focused on securing replacements for approximately fifty absent employees – including both caregivers and non-caregiver staff – and the application of provisions related to increased overtime pay.
“The situation had become untenable,” stated a senior official familiar with the negotiations. “Staff were stretched too thin, and patient care was beginning to be impacted.”
Key Provisions of the Agreement
The memorandum of understanding outlines four key points intended to address the union’s concerns. First, it stipulates the application of a decree issued on June 3, 2025, under the conditions that were in place at the hospital until November 2024. Second, the agreement commits to filling 20 replacement positions with fixed-term contracts.
A significant portion of the agreement focuses on financial investment. A provisional work schedule has been established to allocate an 800,000 euro investment earmarked for the hospital’s psychiatry department. This funding will be divided, with half dedicated to urgent repairs and the remainder allocated to longer-term, structuring projects. The hospital’s medical project will be presented to relevant authorities before the end of the year.
Remaining Concerns and Future Outlook
Beyond staffing and funding, the union also sought clarification regarding working hours in the hospital’s future geriatrics department, which is currently undergoing restructuring. Additionally, they requested access to key financial documents, including deficit figures and the hospital’s overall establishment plan.
While the memorandum of understanding represents a significant step forward, ongoing dialogue will be crucial to address these remaining concerns and ensure the long-term stability of the Ajaccian hospital center. The resolution of this dispute underscores the critical need for proactive communication and collaboration between hospital management and labor unions to maintain quality patient care and a sustainable working environment.
