Nurses in the Algarve have called a strike on May 2, 8 and 9, demanding the payment of back wages dating all the way back to 2018, along with fair compensation for working holidays and weekends.
The nurses of the Algarve’s Local Health Unit (ULS) have planned their walkout between 8am and midnight on Friday, May 2, and between 8am on Thursday, May 8 and midnight on May 9.
Organised by the Portuguese Nurses’ Union (SEP), the strike will affect public hospitals in Faro, Portimão, and Lagos, as well as health centres across the Algarve.
At the heart of the protest is mounting frustration over alleged broken promises. Nurses say they were assured of retroactive payments and fair treatment regardless of their employment contracts. But according to the union, none of those promises were kept – despite the health authority signing an agreement as far back as February 2019.
“They haven’t delivered on a single commitment. Instead, they’ve chosen to continue discriminatory practices,” blasted the SEP in a statement.
Nurses also want their performance evaluations upgraded to “good” across the board, and demand 200% pay for holidays and rest days worked.
Speaking to Lusa news agency, regional union leader Alda Pereira said emergency meetings are already being planned for this Wednesday to strategise the next steps – and to decide just how far they’re willing to push negotiations with ULS Algarve leadership.
Pereira adds that it is “unacceptable” that this situation remains unsolved in a region which struggles with a chronic shortage of health professionals.
