Doctors hold final pre-summer strike in Catalonia as union warns of further escalation

Doctors across Catalonia staged their 12th day of strike action this year on Wednesday, calling for their own collective agreement and for measures to reduce what they describe as unsustainable workloads in the public health system.

The strike was accompanied by demonstrations in Barcelona, Girona, Tarragona and Lleida, with medical staff demanding negotiations with the Catalan government.

The Metges de Catalunya union warned that further mobilisations could follow after the summer if there is no progress.

In Barcelona, more than 200 doctors gathered on Aragó Street, where they blocked traffic and protested against what they see as a lack of response from the authorities.

The union's general secretary, Xavier Lleonart, said doctors were prepared to increase pressure after the summer if talks did not advance.

Lleonart warned that the union could "escalate the conflict" and, if necessary, "ulsterise healthcare" – a reference to turning the dispute into a deeper and more entrenched confrontation.

The demonstrations focused on demands for a specific collective agreement for doctors, rather than being covered under the broader healthcare framework, as well as complaints over excessive workloads, including long shifts and insufficient time with patients.

Lleonart also highlighted the union's "Not one minute more" campaign, which urges doctors to stop taking on voluntary additional work outside their scheduled hours.

He added that the extra work is crucial to the system, representing around 30% of all surgical activity.

The union said Wednesday's strike would be its last before the summer, but warned that mobilisation could resume in September if negotiations remain stalled.