Ambulance strike in the Balearic Islands starting in September
Likewise, the group has called partial strikes on July 30 and August 6, 13, 20 and 27, in two time slots.
PalmThe works council for Healthcare and Care Management of the Balearic Islands (GSAIB), made up of the unions UGT, Fs-tes, USAE, and CCOO, has announced the call for an indefinite general strike starting September 1, 2025, after considering the seven-day period they had granted to the public entity's management to have expired.
As reported by the group in a statement, the decision comes after a meeting held on June 30 between the unions and GSAIB management, where "no solution to the daily problems was specified." The company simply asked for "understanding and time" to develop a proposal for improvement.
Among the works council's main demands are the lack of staff, inoperative vehicles, uncovered shifts, breaches of the collective agreement, and the "obligation to assume functions typical of hospital staff." Furthermore, they criticize the lack of progress in the professional classification process and the fact that Scheduled Medical Transport staff are not recognized as healthcare personnel.
One of the triggers, according to the unions, was statements by IB-Salut to the media in which it asserted that "Scheduled Medical Transport workers do not have healthcare skills nor are they trained to handle emergencies," statements that the workers describe as "despicable" and "unprofessional."
The committee considers it a "contradiction" to make these statements while "emergencies are referred to Scheduled Medical Transport daily due to a lack of ambulances on the 061 line." They point out that the professionals in this service hold a formal qualification as a Medical Emergency Technician recognized by Royal Decree. Thus, starting July 17, the workforce will stop working overtime and will be strictly limited to performing the functions established by their professional category according to the collective bargaining agreement, refusing, for example, to take on tasks typical of hospital staff, such as those of orderlies.
In addition, partial strikes have been called for five days. Specifically, on July 30 and August 6, 13, 20, and 27, in two time slots, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Weekly rallies will also be held in locations and at times that coincide with the protest calls.
As a final measure, if a satisfactory solution is not found, the sector will begin an indefinite general strike starting September 1, 2025, in defense of their working conditions and recognition of their work as healthcare workers. The unions warn that "time and patience have run out" and demand "a serious proposal that recognizes professionals for what they are."