The National Nurses Union (SNE) expressed concern this Wednesday about the worsening pay inequalities between these professionals and the remaining specialist professions of the SNS, believing that they have become more pronounced following the interim agreement reached with doctors.
In its statement, the SNE believes that the agreement reached on Tuesday between the government and the Independent Union of Doctors (IMU) could lead not only to entry into the private sector and emigration, but also to abandonment of the profession. “worsens shortages of nurses and specialist nurses” in the National Health Service (SNS).
The union adds that it hopes that after the national strike on the 20th and the overtime strike that ended on the 25th, “the government will be more open to negotiations.”
“But this is unforeseen, and this worries us very much,” he insists.
In a note released today, SNE board president Emanuel Boyeiro accuses the prime minister and health minister of “a complete lack of willingness to negotiate and reach an agreement with nurses.”
“In view of the urgency of reviewing the career scale and salaries of nurses, which has been stagnant since 2015, we are awaiting urgent hearings with (…) the President of the Republic (…) and the meetings requested 10 days ago from the chairman of the PSD and candidates for the post Secretary General of the PS,” he adds.
SNE’s position comes after the government reached an “interim agreement” with one of the medical unions (SIM) to increase wages in January 2024.
The agreement to review NHS doctors’ pay scales includes increases of 14.6% for 40-hour hospital assistants, 12.9% for postgraduate assistants and 10.9% for postgraduate senior assistants .
On Tuesday, Health Minister Manuel Pizarro said a similar model would be applied to every medical career, adding that the agreed salary increase applies to all doctors, “giving preference to the lowest salaries.”
For interns undergoing specialty training, the increase is 15.7% for fourth-year interns onwards, 7.9% for doctors in the first, second and third years of a specialty, and 6.1% for regular course convicts.
The agreement will be accompanied by full commitment regulation and new incentives for Family Health Units (USFs) and Comprehensive Responsibility Centers (CRIs).
About 2,000 doctors specializing in general and family medicine who will switch to USF Model B in early 2024 will receive a salary increase of about 60%, as well as doctors in medical centers and hospitals, according to the department. Those who want to join In the mode of full dedication in January, the salary will increase by more than 43%.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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