More than 3,000 doctors running emergency services in Paris hospitals began a two-day strike for a new pay contract Tuesday as department chiefs angrily charged the industrial action violates medical ethics.
A general assembly of the hospital doctors approved the strike Monday night after rejecting a compromise pay increase offer. On Friday the 3,200 doctors staged a one-day strike in pursuit of their demands.Hospital officials assured their emergency rooms were adequately staffed by pulling other doctors and hospital workers from administrative and other duties and by sending out letters ordering individual doctors to return to duty. Under the medical board code of ethics, doctors who refuse such an individual order could be subject to disciplinary action, officials said.
"Aside from those with small boo-boos, all patients are being seen by a doctor, and no one has been sent away without being examined," said a spokeman at the Lariboisiere Hospital in Paris.