The mobilization on April 30 will coincide with a national call for the Medical Statute, while the May 4 strike will focus on specific demands within the archipelago. The primary objective is to urge the Ministry of Health and the SCS Directorate to urgently implement measures proposed by CESM Canarias, which aim to address the needs of medical professionals and the critical situation of public healthcare.
According to a statement issued by CESM Canarias, negotiations with the SCS Directorate began in February, based on technical proposals developed by their working groups in Primary Care and Hospital Care, as well as on remuneration and organizational aspects. Despite analyzing various measures and modifications presented by the union to facilitate an agreement, the process has not resulted in effective commitments.
“"The lack of real progress in negotiations forces us to take another step. This call responds to the need to change the working conditions of professionals and guarantee the quality of healthcare in Canarias."
The last meeting, held on April 6, concluded with the presentation of a block of essential minimum agreements and a seven-day deadline for a response. However, the union regrets that, after this period, no real commitment has been materialized, nor have execution timelines been defined for most priority measures. Therefore, CESM Canarias considers the negotiation blocked after months of unfruitful work, and demands “clear commitments, concrete measures, and an execution calendar” from the Health Administration to resolve the urgent problems affecting medical professionals.
Key demands include compliance with agreements signed on October 23, 2023, the equalization of professional careers to the average of the three best in the National Health System for all SCS categories, and the implementation of an open and permanent transfer system. They also request the establishment of open and permanent hiring lists through the “e-curriculum” system for more efficient management of medical talent.
Furthermore, other fundamental aspects are under negotiation, such as improving working conditions, reducing care overload, increasing medical staff to ensure quality healthcare, and reviewing the remuneration system, including the price of on-call hours for specialists and residents. Specific measures for Primary Care are also sought to reduce care pressure and improve accessibility. The organization of working hours and on-call duties, job stability, and the reduction of temporary employment through periodic public employment offers are also crucial points in the negotiation.
