In a statement to Lusa, Alda Pereira, the regional leader of the Algarve branch of the Portuguese Nurses’ Union (SEP), indicated that the participation “demonstrates a significant stance by nurses towards their demands.”
Nurses are demanding retroactive payments dating back to 2018, a ‘good’ rating for all nurses in performance evaluations, and payment for holidays and weekend rest days worked at 200%.
The strike was called by the SEP for today’s morning and afternoon shifts, between 08:00 and 24:00, and will also cover the same period on the 8th.
Alda Pereira specified that there was a 100% adherence to the strike at the Portimão Health Center, 70% at Portimão Hospital, and 70% at Silves Health Center.
According to the union leader, there is also a 100% participation rate in one of the orthopedics departments at Faro Hospital and between 60% and 70% in “the most significant departments, including medicine and pediatrics.”
The three-day strike was justified by the union due to the lack of responses to the demands presented to the board of ULS/Algarve in a meeting on February 19.
The Algarve ULS includes the public hospitals of the National Health Service in Faro, Portimão, and Lagos, and the grouping of Central, Barlavento, and Sotavento health centers.
The strike notice was received “with astonishment” by the hospital administration, which claimed to have “worked hard and maintained regular conversations” with healthcare professionals, according to a statement sent to newsrooms.
The administration accused the union of “lying” by saying there were no more contacts since February, ensuring there was a meeting between parties on March 17.
Alda Pereira described the statement from the ULS/Algarve board as “at least comical, being a gross and even offensive accusation.”
