Jeonnam National University Hospital Union: "Staff Cuts Remain After Medical Disputes... Working Conditions Must Improve"

The Jeonnam National University Hospital Branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' National Health and Medical Industry Labor Union held a press conference in front of Jeonnam National University Hospital on the 7th. Provided by the Jeonnam National University Hospital Branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' National Health and Medical Industry Labor Union

The labor unions of both the main and branch campuses of Jeonnam National University Hospital have called on the hospital to improve working conditions amid a reduction in nursing staff caused by conflicts between the medical community and the government.

The Jeonnam National University Hospital Branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' National Health and Medical Industry Labor Union held a press conference in front of Jeonnam National University Hospital on January 7, demanding that the hospital hire additional nursing staff to address the shortage.

The union stated, "Over the past five years, despite the difficulties caused by COVID-19 and ongoing disputes between the medical community and the government, Jeonnam National University Hospital employees have steadfastly remained by their patients' sides. However, when the hospital's bed occupancy rate dropped due to collective action by doctors, management pressured staff to take unpaid leave. With the closure and consolidation of wards, employees were forced into sudden departmental transfers or reassigned as physician assistants (PAs), taking on doctors' responsibilities in addition to their own."

The union further criticized, "The hospital, which had already reduced all forms of support and welfare, went so far as to suspend the provision of 4,000-won meal vouchers during the Chuseok holiday-a benefit previously given to staff working during holidays. Employees were outraged, yet the hospital has remained silent despite the union's protests and demands for the reinstatement of meal vouchers."

They continued, "Although a doctor who left the hospital in September last year has returned and a previously closed ward has been reopened, the hospital is now facing a severe staffing shortage due to a two-year period of so-called 'austerity management,' during which staffing gaps were left unaddressed. Even though there are not enough nurses to provide direct patient care, the hospital is reassigning experienced and highly skilled nurses to PA positions, requiring them to perform doctors' duties."

The union also argued, "The hospital is recklessly expanding wards without adequate staffing preparations. By enforcing staff reductions in each ward, the hospital is violating the staffing agreements specified in the collective bargaining agreement."

They added, "The hospital must respect the labor union and its workers and fulfill the collective bargaining agreement. The hospital should immediately withdraw its unilateral staff reductions and comply with the agreed staffing levels for each shift."