Nurses in Porto launch strike at Santo António Health Unit

Nurses at the Santo António Local Health Unit (ULS) in Porto, Portugal, initiated a 24-hour strike on October 26, 2026. The Independent Union of All United Nurses (SITEU) reported approximately 100% participation in the industrial action.

The strike is driven by demands regarding delayed performance evaluations for the 2023-2025 periods, which have blocked career progression and salary increases. The union is also seeking the payment of outstanding debts, noting instances where individual workers are owed more than 20,000 euros. Additionally, workers are calling for the effective application of Law No. 51/2025 to correct remuneration positions and settle arrears dating back to November 2024.

While the union emphasized that minimum services will be maintained to ensure patient care, they stated that workers cannot continue to wait indefinitely for legal entitlements. The ULS administration responded that some evaluations have been approved, while others remain under analysis.