AMBULANCES RUN WITHOUT INCIDENT DESPITE 95% STRIKE

The one-day transport strike in the Almeria public health service passed without incident despite affecting 360 workers and 95 percent of ambulances. Minimum services continued to be provided covering response to and transport for all emergencies, dialysis and cancer patients.

This was confirmed by the Provincial Delegation of Health and Social Welfare which stated that the agreed services ensured one hundred percent coverage for both emergency and patients on dialysis and scheduled cancer treatments.
The 24-hour strike called by the CCOO and CSIF unions began on Wednesday morning after a “breakdown” in the negotiations between the strike committee and the company ‘Ambulances Quevedo’. The schedule of demonstrations also includes further 24-hour strikes and does not rule out calling an indefinite strike.

The two unions demanded a strike after ‘Ambulances Quevedo’ sacked 25 workers and changed “substantially” working conditions for the other 33 employees who have seen their contracts changed from full to part-time.

They have warned that these measures will impact on citizen services, particularly at the emergency health centers of Albanchez, Chirivel, Oria, María, Vélez Blanco, Abla, Canjáyar, Campohermoso (Nijar), Cabo de Gata, Sorbas and Tabernas from where ambulances are stationed and dispatched.

Although earlier demonstrations were planned on 21 and 23 August, the workers decided to suspend their actions after the strike committee and the company agree on a timetable for negotiations. In line with this, the two organizations have now requested the intervention of the Arbitration Service (SAS) in the resolution of the conflict, as they are unable to reach any agreement themselves.