Healthcare professionals in the Valle 1 area of Álava, encompassing municipalities such as Salinas de Añana, Lantarón, and Valdegovía, have commenced a week-long strike. The dispute stems from new work schedules implemented by Osakidetza, which, according to the professionals, establish unmanageable working hours and infringe upon their labor rights.
“"The conflict arises after a lack of negotiation with management. A professional would enter on a Saturday at 8 AM and leave on a Monday at 3 PM, which would be 55 consecutive hours."
Dr. Carmen Rodríguez, a family doctor in Villanueva de Valdegovía, explained on COPE Euskadi that the new schedules mandate 55 consecutive hours of work. This situation, healthcare workers emphasize, violates regulations governing their conditions, including the framework statute and Osakidetza's regulatory agreement. This measure not only jeopardizes their health and work-life balance but also pushes them to a breaking point: "It forces us to leave, because it's unsustainable."
The professionals warn that this change undermines fundamental principles of Primary Care, such as continuity of care, which ensures patients are always attended to by the same team. Dr. Rodríguez laments that "the professional bond is completely broken," directly impacting the health outcomes of the population, predominantly elderly individuals with mobility challenges.
Healthcare workers feel full support from the community. At Monday's rally, "many people came, some even brought their tractors to highlight the importance of the rural environment." Patients are reportedly avoiding health centers to support the strike, a gesture doctors appreciate, though they stress that emergency care remains guaranteed.
According to Dr. Rodríguez, Osakidetza argues that these are "localized on-call duties" serving a small population. Healthcare workers refute this, stating that the duties are in-person and that labor rights and equitable access to healthcare do not depend on population size. "A problem has been created where none existed," Rodríguez summarizes. To continue raising awareness for their cause, professionals will demonstrate this Friday in front of the Basque Parliament, hoping that Osakidetza's management will reverse course and reconsider a measure they insist jeopardizes an essential service for the survival of rural communities.
