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Canary Islands doctors extend strike to 17 November
CESM and Semca say talks have stalled since their 22 October offer. They want better working terms, higher pay and a stronger voice in negotiations.
Doctors' unions CESM and Semca have extended their Canary Islands strike until 17 November. They announced the longer action after talks with the regional health department stalled.
The unions accuse the department of ignoring the strike committee and refusing to negotiate. They say this approach will keep harming patients in the Canary Islands Health Service, known as the SCS.
Their last offer went to regional health minister Esther Monzón on 22 October, the unions said. They say they have heard nothing from her since then. They also hold Monzón responsible for a decline in care.
Terms, pay and time with patients
CESM and Semca want more seats at bargaining tables. They also seek better working and rest terms, along with higher pay. They say these changes would help the SCS attract doctors.
The unions link those demands to the care patients receive. They say the SCS allows less than 10 minutes for each appointment. In some cases, they say, doctors have less than 7 minutes.
They also say patients wait months for specialists. In some fields, the wait can pass a year. The unions add that the surgery waiting list keeps growing.
The unions say SCS subdirector Adasat Goya accused them of mistreating the public. They reject that charge. They say their demands aim to stop what they describe as poor treatment of patients.
They also criticise long delays for tests and closed appointment books. The unions allege that these practices hide part of the true waiting lists.
Cost and a call for talks
The SCS has valued the doctors' economic claim at €150 million a year. It has said payment could be spread across several budget years.
The unions deny that their demands would break the health service. They point to public money going to private providers and missing district hospitals in Tenerife. They also cite delays to health centres and only one public hiring round in 26 years.
Semca says the dispute puts the future of public healthcare at risk. It has asked the Canary Islands government to open talks and reach a deal.
The unions say doctors do not want more strike days than needed. However, they will keep taking action until the government treats the dispute seriously and starts constructive talks.
Sources: Diario de Avisos; Canarias7
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