Late Thursday afternoon, the National Union of Workers in Public Services and Entities (STSS) reported a positive outcome from the health workers’ strike, citing approximately 80% participation.
“The outcome is undoubtedly positive. Some services are completely halted and others partially. Until recently, we were seeing 80%” participation, said STTS Secretary-General, Matilde Pereira, to Lusa News Agency.
The union leader criticized reported distortions by management, who allegedly told “employees that this strike would not be validated at all.”
The union is calling for “urgent measures” to enhance careers, including reinstating progression points for salary increases.
The demands also include hiring permanent staff to eliminate “the excessive use of additional shifts and 16-hour consecutive workdays,” as well as providing hazard pay for auxiliary health and nursing technicians. The union further demands the abolition of the hours bank and group hours bank by implied agreement, claiming these practices disrupt workers’ lives and only benefit employers.
The strike included health workers from hospitals, health centers, public institutes, and private entities contracted with the National Health Service.
