7800 employees

Graz University Hospital: Works Council surprisingly dissolved

This came as a surprise: a year earlier than planned, the employees and workers at Graz University Hospital are to elect a new representative body. Central Works Council member Michael Tripolt initiated this step on Wednesday - which does not please everyone.

The early dissolution of the works council at Graz University Hospital caused a stir on Wednesday. Just 24 hours beforehand, Michael Tripolt, who currently holds a two-thirds majority with his "Team-Klinikum Graz" (formerly ÖAAB-FCG), convened the necessary meeting at short notice.

"Playground of party politics"
"We are facing turbulent political times in which our healthcare system threatens to become a playground for party politics and individual interests," it said in a letter to employees. The works council chairman is probably alluding to a possible FPÖ government participation after the next regional elections in Styria. The Freedom Party has always been the most critical of the healthcare reforms.

In addition to the 21 mandates of the "Team-Klinikum Graz", the "FSG" (Fraktion Sozialdemokratischer GewerkschafterInnen) holds three mandates and the "UVA" (Unabhängige Vertretung für alle) holds the same number.

Party political calculation?
Its members openly criticize the decision: "I think it is a bad sign to willingly break up a stable representation, especially in difficult times. Even more so when a decision like this is obviously being driven by party political considerations," said "UVA" boss Eiko Meister in response to an inquiry from "Krone". According to his interpretation, a large company in strong ÖVP hands would strengthen the governor's back in the elections.

Tripolt does not accept the accusations as "nonsense". Instead, what is needed now is "a clear mandate from all employees to successfully tackle future challenges such as structural reform". "It's about the cause," emphasizes the doctor. He only informed Governor Christopher Drexler of his decision shortly before the meeting.

One thing is certain: around 6400 eligible voters will now have to elect their new representatives in the next eight weeks - a year earlier than planned.