Osakidetza healthcare workers strike in Basque Country

Healthcare workers in the Basque Country began the first of five planned strike days on October 30, organized by unions including SATSE, ELA, LAB, CCOO, and UGT. The industrial action aims to demand improved working conditions and salary increases, noting that labor agreements have not seen significant updates in 17 years.

Under government-mandated minimum services, emergency departments, dialysis, oncology treatments, intensive care, and maternity services remain fully operational. However, routine and scheduled activities have faced cancellations. In Gipuzkoa, unions reported the closure of health centers in Andoain, Oiartzun, and Hondarribia, as well as certain services at Hospital Donostia and Hospital Bidasoa.

Protests took place in Donostia, Bilbao, and Vitoria-Gasteiz. While emergency services and continuous care points (PAC) are operating at 100% capacity, unions have criticized the high level of minimum services required, arguing it limits the effectiveness of the right to strike.