INEM and STEPH union meet to negotiate strike avoidance

The Union of Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians (STEPH) is scheduled to meet with the Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) this Friday in Lisbon. The meeting aims to reach an agreement to cancel strikes previously planned for the 14th and 28th of this month.

The dispute centers on the reorganization of emergency relief resources. STEPH has criticized proposals from INEM's board, led by Luís Cabral, specifically opposing the conversion of immediate life support ambulances into light vehicles, which the union argues reduces patient transport capacity. The union is also seeking an expansion of the emergency ambulance network through the end of 2027. While union leader Rui Lázaro expressed optimism regarding the Ministry of Health's willingness to negotiate, he identified the current INEM leadership's proposals as a primary obstacle to a resolution.