Biology laboratories on strike from Monday

They shift into high gear (by slowing down their activity). The unions of biologists are calling for an “unlimited strike” by medical analysis laboratories from next Monday. Since the announcement, at the end of September, of the 250 million euros in savings to be made by will or by force in their sector, within the framework of the Social Security 2023 budget, liberal biologists have indeed been alarmed by a ” plane stroke” and oppose it by all means.

Fearing a lasting drop in prices, they first proposed an “exceptional tax” of the same amount, in respect of the profits made thanks to the Covid tests. In the absence of an agreement, they then stopped transmitting the results of these screenings to the national SI-DEP file, disrupting the monitoring of the epidemic for a week. A judged boycott
“inconsequential” and “inadmissible” by the Minister of Health, François Braun, who even accused them of “taking the entire population hostage”.

A movement for three days?

Received Monday evening at Health Insurance, the biologists came out of it by denouncing an “austerity madness” and calling for a “renewable strike” from November 14, therefore. The movement, which should last at least three days, is also supported by large groups of private laboratories (Biogroup, Cerba, Eurofins, Inovie, Synlab), as well as by the network of Independent Biologists (LBI).

Several unions from other professions have given their support to the biologists, including the eleven organizations grouped together within the Health Liberals, as well as the doctors of the UFML. But the executive is sticking to its position. “I maintain the target, it will succeed,” said the minister again on Tuesday, estimating that “with a gross surplus of 3 billion, they can make an effort of 250 million”.

The regrets of the health insurance

Health Insurance “continues for its part to favor dialogue” and “deeply regrets the call for a strike”, judging its proposals “fully sustainable for the biology sector”.

The biologists however received this week the reinforcement of the Senate during the examination of the draft budget of the social security. Embracing their claim, the High Assembly voted for an amendment transforming this permanent reduction into an exceptional contribution of 250 million euros in 2023.