More than 176,000 doctors from all over Spain—those working within the National Health System—are beginning a week-long strike this Monday to voice their rejection of the “Estatuto Marco” (Framework Statute) negotiated between the Ministry of Health and the unions involved in the negotiating table. For months, as evidenced by previous walkouts and mobilizations, they have been demanding their own specific statute.
In addition to this first week of February, which begins this February 16, the strike calendar includes walkouts from March 16–20, April 27–30, May 18–22, and June 15–19.
The autonomous communities have already established minimum services for these strikes which, in general, guarantee emergency care and life-saving treatments; however, they have expressed concern over the consequences for patients. Several regions have called for a “dialogue effort” between the Government and the unions in the face of a strike that could have a significant impact.
The strike beginning now is ‘especially impactful’ because it will take place one week per month until June. Since the strike days are combined with the preceding and following weekends, hospital activity will be paralyzed for nine consecutive days
