The union calls off the indefinite stoppages after six hours of negotiations with the Minister of Health
The Infermeres de Catalunya union and the health minister, Manel Balcells, signed an agreement this Thursday afternoon that puts an end to the indefinite strike held by the group since December 12. As reported by the Europa Press agency, the pact includes organizational and professional improvements for nurses, such as a workload study and a bilateral table every two months between the department and the organization.
Union sources have explained that the agreement is not what they expected, but that it is a first step and that they have decided to call off the strike to give nursing and the public a break. However, they have warned that they will not hesitate to mobilize again if the Government does not fulfill the commitments made.
The key points of the agreement
Among the aspects that have been agreed upon by the union and the ministry is the recognition of nurses as valid figures to work as shift and guard leaders, as well as the right to digital disconnection, with the creation of a code of digital disconnect in 2024.
They have also agreed to study the real needs of the vehicle fleet in the territory and increase it according to this assessment during the first semester of 2024, to guarantee the portfolio of home care services in primary care.
The reason for the strike
Infermeres de Catalunya, a union without representation in the sectoral table, called the indefinite strike in protest of the third agreement of the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS), which was agreed between the Department of Health and the Doctors of Catalonia unions , CCOO, UGT and SATSE. CATAC, which also has two representatives on the trade union table, did not subscribe to it.
The third agreement affects about 55,000 healthcare workers in Catalonia and contemplates an additional 320 million a year. The Infermeres de Catalunya union considered that the agreement did not include their demands, such as improvements in wages and the quality of care, and that it did not recognize the importance of the nursing profession.