Doctors launch two-day strike to demand better pay and conditions

Doctors in Catalonia begun a two day strike on Thursday to demand a new collective bargaining agreement and labor improvements, such as eliminating 24-hour shifts and other measures to address the burden of patient care.

The new mobilization comes after a previous round of protests in February, when hundreds of doctors marched in Barcelona as part of a wider five-day Spain-wide strike. 

The walkout on Thursday and Friday, called by the union Metges de Catalunya, or Doctors of Catalonia, will bring the number of strike days this year up to nine.

According to the Department of Health, 5.3% of doctors participated to the strike in the morning, while the Metges de Catalunya put the figure at 31% overall.

By province, the union reported participation of 32% in Barcelona, 25% in Girona, 23% in Tarragona, and 22% in Lleida. 

The union argues that authorities have not addressed "any of the demands" that prompted the strike.

According to union representatives, the Department of Health has not engaged in meaningful negotiations with the strike committee. They also criticize Catalan Health Minister Olga Pané for not holding direct talks.

Last Friday, March 13, the union formally requested that Catalan president Salvador Illa and Pané comply with a parliamentary motion urging negotiations with doctors' representatives, but say they have received no concrete response.

Doctors’ demands include reforming overtime and rest periods, increasing pay for on-call hours to at least 175% of a standard hour, and lowering the retirement age. The union also calls for limits on daily patient visits in primary care and for protected time dedicated to non-clinical tasks such as training, teaching, and research.

Thursday's rally at Plaça de la Universitat will focus on explaining the doctors' demands and gathering feedback from the public.

Friday's march will begin at Hospital del Mar and head toward the Parliament, located in the Ciutadella park, where doctors expect to join teachers' demonstrations around midday.

Minimum services set

Minimum services will be maintained during the strike to guarantee essential healthcare coverage. Emergency departments and critical units will operate as normal, and urgent treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy will be ensured.

Urgent surgical procedures will continue, while outpatient and primary care centers will provide urgent services during regular hours with 25% reduced staffing on Thursday, and one-third less on Friday.

Other services will generally follow holiday schedules, while medical transport, emergency coordination systems, and essential pharmaceutical services will remain fully operational. 

The union warns it will continue mobilizing in the coming months if its demands are not met.