Unions slam Salud for negotiating outside sector committee: “Fundamental rights are being violated”

The negotiations between the Salud and the strike committee of Cesm Aragón and Fasamet to improve doctors’ working conditions have angered other healthcare unions, which say issues affecting other healthcare categories are being addressed without going through the Health Sector Committee. For this reason, CSIF, CCOO, UGT and FTPS have called a demonstration for Wednesday, October 28, outside the Department of Health. The protest will take place at 12 noon and is aimed at all healthcare professionals working for the Salud. The unions behind the demonstration say issues affecting all workers are being negotiated with “a few” people and argue that this approach undermines the legitimacy of the Sector Committee, the body representing the different categories. “The fundamental rights of all professionals in the public Salud system are being violated,” the unions say. TEN MONTHS WITHOUT A SECTOR COMMITTEE MEETING The discontent comes as talks between the Salud and the strike committee formed by Cesm Aragón and Fasamet enter their final stage. The negotiations aim to improve doctors’ working and pay conditions. Issues raised in recent months include unblocking career progression, as well as the remuneration and conditions for on-call shifts. CSIF, CCOO, UGT and FTPS, however, complain that the Health Sector Committee has not been convened for ten months. The organizations say they jointly requested an urgent meeting on October 16, with a two-week deadline, to address issues they consider necessary ahead of the next budget. According to the organizers, Wednesday’s demonstration will be the first of several mobilization events intended to demand that labor negotiations once again take place through the representative bodies for all Salud professionals.