Private pharmacies, picket in Padua for the failure to renew the collective agreement

About seventy pharmacists from Padua and its province gathered in front of the Federfarma headquarters in Padua, in Corso Milano, to ask for the renewal of the Ccnl private pharmacies. The demonstration, similar to other demonstrations that are taking place these days throughout Italy, was organized by Filcams Cgil, Fisascat Cisl and Uiltucs Uil of Padua.

The protest, which involves 253 private pharmacies in the province of Padua and 1,377 in the entire Veneto region, was decided at the end of the joint union coordination of delegates held on May 19 with the participation of territorial and regional structures. Filcams Cgil, Fisascat Cisl and Uiltucs explain: «The breakdown of the discussion was caused by the rigid and uncompromising position of Federfarma, which confirmed the offer of only 120 euros of overall salary increase for the next three years of contractual validity, an inadequate proposal: for months we have been demanding decent increases anchored to certain indicators, such as inflation and the loss of purchasing power. We denounce inadequate salaries, increasing workloads and zero conciliation, conditions that mortify the daily commitment of those who guarantee care, prevention and proximity».

Marquidas Moccia of Fisascat Padova says: "We have worked hard with the pharmacists on the platform for the renewal of this contract, which we believe to be central. Today their presence here is proof that the pharmacists of Padua do not accept proposals that trample on their dignity. It is a mobilization at a national level, because all the discussions we had at the table ran aground the moment we made explicit the request for a salary increase, the recognition that Federfarma should have given of the professionalism, commitment and sacrifice that it asks daily of all those who work in pharmacies. We asked for a raise of 360 euros and their response, from which they do not intend to move, is 120 euros for the entire duration of the contract, therefore for three years. An enormous lack of respect towards the workers. We chose this part of the city because we asked to be received by Federfarma Padova, not to continue a negotiation at a territorial level, but to let the workers hear from their own mouths what their working conditions are, their difficulties and their expectations. Unfortunately, they did not receive us".

Fabio Paternicò of Uiltucs Padova adds: "The amount that Federfarma is proposing for us is unacceptable, given the fact that we are talking about workers who have studied all their lives. At the negotiating table, which ended in June, Federfarma was categorical. If we make a comparison with the other contracts signed by Cgil, Cisl and Uil, the 120 euros that they are proposing is a truly miserable increase. The vast majority have a degree in pharmacy, the workers themselves have to take refresher courses, with an average of 150 hours in three years. Courses that most of the time are paid for by them. So the amount we had asked for would also compensate for everything that the pharmacist's work entails and not just the adjustment to inflation and the loss of purchasing power. The pharmacist has to pay for registration in the register every year, has to take courses relating to training credits, Ecm courses and has to take out a mandatory insurance policy for any damage caused. These professionals therefore ask for a dignified and adequate increase, time and support to constantly update themselves and to grow professionally".

Silvia Cocco of Fisascat Cisl Padova Rovigo concludes: «Throughout Italy we are mobilizing at a territorial level, jointly with Cgil, Cisl and Uil. We are promoting sit-ins and pickets both in front of Federfarma in each province and in front of the prefecture offices. Federfarma in some cases, like here, has not given us an answer and does not accept discussion. At a national level our general secretaries are trying to find a meeting point. We remind you that salary increases for pharmacy employees are frozen in November 2021. Pharmacists want a dignified increase for their professionalism and for their availability towards our citizens. The increase proposal made by Federfarma is totally inadequate for workers who work every day for the health of citizens. They are professionals who should be proud of what they are doing. Especially during the Covid period they gave answers to the cities, because they worked so hard when everything was closed and since then the pharmacies have become a local health facility, because sometimes the doctor cannot be there, but the pharmacists and chemists have always been there".