Italian health unions press for staffing, pay and benefit reforms in regional hospitals

The Fials trade union representing staff of the Barletta‑Andria‑Trani health authority (Asl BAT) called on the new strategic management to grant immediate cafeteria rights, hire additional social‑health operators (OSS), settle accrued productivity bonuses and publish wage progression tables. It also urged the region to ensure uniform meal‑ticket benefits across Puglia’s health system.

The SUL Calabria union, led by secretary Aldo Libri, condemned chronic understaffing in the radiology department of Polistena Hospital, where only four physicians handle a workload that exceeds that of larger centres. The union demanded explanations from regional health officials and the president of the region, highlighting the mismatch between high service volumes, strong economic results and the severe shortage of staff. It warned that the situation jeopardises patient care and costs the region hundreds of millions in health‑migration expenses.