Doctors and healthcare professionals in the Canary Islands have been on indefinite strike since 16 October, following an unsuccessful meeting with the Ministry of Health.
The strike is being led by the Canary Medical Union (CESM Canarias) and the Medical Employees Union of the Canary Islands (SEMCA), not by Intersindical Canaria.
Participation and Impact on Services
Participation in the strike varied between 5.84% and 9.52% across six reports from the Health Ministry between 16 and 23 October, averaging around 8%. In Fuerteventura, three doctors joined on 16 October, two on 19 October, one on 20 October, and four on 21 October, with no participation recorded on the following days.
Union Demands
The unions have put forward 18 demands aimed at enhancing working conditions and safeguarding public health quality. Key requests include establishing a dedicated negotiation pathway with the government, reviewing compensation for on-call duties and recovery time after 24-hour shifts, as well as improvements in career progression, staffing levels, and healthcare organisation.
The Ministry of Health has made a proposal for improvements in working conditions and pay, but unions deem it inadequate. Although the initial strike schedule was set to last until 26 October, union representatives indicated that the strike could continue if no agreement is reached.
