7,000 doctors in the Canaries to strike this Friday over national dispute
Doctors across Spain, including more than 7,000 in the Canary Islands, will go on strike today, Friday 3rd October, in protest against the Spanish Ministry of Health’s proposed changes to the national framework governing doctors’ working conditions.
The action has been called by the State Confederation of Medical Unions (CESM) and the Andalusian Medical Union (SMA), who say the Ministry has shown a “total lack of willingness to negotiate” on key issues. It follows a previous nationwide strike in June.
Doctors in Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria will join colleagues across Spain in walkouts and protests, demanding better recognition of the medical profession. Among their main requests are:
- A maximum 35-hour working week
- Optional on-call shifts
- A new job classification (Group A1+) reflecting doctors’ responsibilities
The strike has also been endorsed by the Spanish Medical Association (OMC), which has called for unity within the profession to defend doctors’ “dignity”.
Friday’s strike will see demonstrations across Spain, including a protest outside the Spanish Congress in Madrid and others in Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and Palma. In the Canary Islands, doctors will stage actions in Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.
Regional health authorities are preparing minimum service agreements to ensure emergency and essential medical care remains available during the strike.
The dispute comes as talks over updating the 2003 regulations drag into a third year, with unions criticising the Ministry for refusing to withdraw its current draft. Other national unions, including nurses’ and general workers’ organisations, have also warned of further “strong measures” if negotiations fail.
Visitors and residents in the Canaries should be aware of possible disruption to routine healthcare appointments and non-urgent hospital services this Friday, although emergency services will continue to operate.
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