Madrid, December 12 (EFE). – The third doctors’ strike in six months ends this Friday with open negotiations to reach an agreement with the Ministry of Health on the reform of the framework statute that regulates the working conditions of health workers.
This Friday marks the four-day strike called by the State Confederation of Medical Unions (CESM) and the Andalusian Medical Union (SMA). They are demanding their own statute that takes into account the specifics of the exercise of their profession independently of the rest of the staff of the National Health System.
The two parties have reaffirmed their commitment to negotiations after a meeting this Thursday between Health and the strike committee of these unions, where no agreement was reached but negotiations were scheduled for next Monday.
The Ministry of Health is not considering creating a separate statute for this group as this would lead to fragmentation of the system and exclusion of the remaining professionals.
In a statement, the CESM reported that both parties committed to continuing negotiations in more concrete terms on six key issues, “including their own statute and scope of negotiations, appropriate job classification and working hours.”
In addition, according to the strike committee, the six key points that need to be negotiated include the declaration of medicine as a high-risk profession, forced mobility and exclusivity.
In any case, the mobilizations continue and the strike committee appreciates the high level of follow-up on the third day of the strike as well as the profession’s union against the draft framework regulations proposed by the Ministry.
As part of the strike, demonstrations and rallies are being organized in front of hospitals and health centers in various cities. Mobilizations are planned for this Friday in Murcia, Avilés, Teruel, Toledo, Seville, Málaga and Almería.
The conflict over the framework statute does not only affect doctors, as the other staff unions of the National Health System, which also negotiate with the Ministry of Health (SATSE-FSES, CCOO, UGT, CSIF and CIG-Saúde), have called for an indefinite strike starting on January 27th.
In addition, this Thursday these unions sent a letter to the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, to inform him that this strike was due to the “irresponsibility” and “apparent disinterest” of the Ministry of Health in reaching an agreement. EFE
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