"It's not a merger, but an acquisition": hundreds of employees of AZ Jan Palfijn protest in Ghent

At the Jan Palfijn hospital in Ghent, hundreds of staff protested against the merger with AZ Sint-Lucas, expressing concerns over changes to vacation and work hours. The merger, set for January 1, aims to create a single entity, AZ Ganda, but has faced significant resistance from employees who feel sidelined. Many staff members, including long-term workers, are unhappy with the lack of input in the new scheduling and the perceived loss of their hospital's identity. Despite a social agreement reached in June, many believe it does not ensure true equality among staff. The ongoing uncertainty is affecting morale, with employees anxious about their future roles in the merged organization. Further discussions are planned to address these issues, but staff remain skeptical about the outcomes.