The union that called for the strike says participation in the strike by NHS pharmacists is around 90% and that there is no reason for dissatisfaction among these health workers to ease.
“We are going to reach 90% (…). There is no reason for people to demobilize. On the contrary, people are increasingly angry because we are not receiving calls at all,” said Enrique Regengo, president of the National Union of Pharmacists. Lusa (SNS), which called for a strike.
SNS pharmacists today resumed their strike, this time across the country, following district strikes they held on the 5th and 12th of this month, in an attempt to force a “serious negotiation process” with the authorities.
In the morning, dozens of SNS pharmacists gathered in front of the Ministry of Health in Lisbon, where they held a small march with several banners, one of which read: “SNS pharmacists in action! For everyone’s health!” and shouting phrases like “Pizarro, listen, the pharmacists are fighting.”
The SNF disputes the fact that the Ministry of Health remains silent, not expressing any intention to “initiate a serious negotiation process.”
A meeting between the two parties took place in January, which the union considered an “absolute disappointment”, and subsequent meetings ended without significant progress.
The last strike notice, filed in July, included national (July 24 and September 19) and district (September 5 and 12) strikes.
Among the requirements of the SNF are updating the tariff schedule, full accounting of work experience in the SNF for promotion and career growth, adequacy of the number of pharmacists to the needs of the civil service and recognition of the title of specialist by the Ministry of Health.
On the 26th, Pharmacist Day is celebrated with a ceremony in Porto. In response to Lusa’s question, Enrique Regengo said that “it would be good if the minister arrived there ready to negotiate seriously,” Enrique Regengo said.