“We have reliable and sufficient indicators to ensure a strong adherence by public sector nurses,” stated Sindepor in the assessment of the first two hours of the strike action.
In a statement, the union emphasized that it is “premature” to provide figures as the nationwide participation “requires a more thorough evaluation.”
“What is certain is that across the country, many thousands of nurses are on strike, even at their workplaces, fulfilling minimum services, which, due to the circumstances and the legislation imposed on us, often correspond to the maximums operating on normal working days,” it clarified.
Services such as emergencies, hemodialysis, blood and organ collection for transplantation, intensive care, urgent surgeries, and priority oncology surgeries, as well as palliative care, are ensured.
Meanwhile, outpatient consultations, primary health care, and deferrable procedures were canceled, with institutions responsible for informing and rescheduling patients, “since they were informed in a timely manner,” according to Sindepor.
Sindepor reaffirmed a national nursing strike of 16 hours, from 8:00 AM to midnight, to pressure the government to respond to the profession’s demands.
At the time, Sindepor President Carlos Ramalho said the decision to go on strike comes after months of deadlock in the negotiations of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (ACT).
The leader highlighted to the Lusa agency that Sindepor, affiliated with the General Union of Workers (UGT) and the Federation of Public Administration Unions (Fesap), had not called a strike in over two years, always favoring negotiation.
Carlos Ramalho recalled that the government committed to starting negotiations in January but only did so in June, presenting “completely absurd” proposals.
“There was no other choice but to refuse them,” he said, citing the precariousness and changes to working hours as critical points.
Among the contested measures is the introduction of the hour bank and adaptability, which, according to the leader, “seriously compromises the personal and family life of nurses, as they never know what to expect.” Furthermore, overtime would not be paid, only offering future compensation.
Sindepor’s strike follows Thursday’s general strike, to which the Portuguese Nurses’ Union (SEP) highlighted today the strong participation of professionals, showing their “rejection of the labor package and the proposal related to the ACT presented by the Ministry of Health.”
In a note, SEP accuses the government of disrespecting the professionals by not counting as participants the nurses who, while on strike, ensured minimum services.
“The figures released by the government demonstrate a lack of respect,” writes the union, adding that the data sent to the media confirm the rejection of changes to labor legislation.
The union also criticizes the statements of the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, considering it “unacceptable” to attempt to downplay the strike.
“Presenting justifications such as ‘the number of cars crossing the bridge fell by only 5%’ or ‘transactions in the Interbank Services Society (SIBS) with a reduction of only 7%’ clearly demonstrates the desperation,” it added.
