SANITAS suspends the general strike in Healthcare, but warns it may resume it

The SANITAS Federation has announced the suspension of the general strike in the public healthcare system, after the Chamber of Deputies approved the unblocking of vacant posts in Healthcare, and the adoption of the new pay legislation was postponed.

"Today we can say with full conviction: We succeeded! We were heard! We proved that Sanitas is an organised, determined, and united force," the SANITAS Federation stated in a Facebook post.

The union members consider that the protest achieved its primary goal of bringing to light the problems within the public health and social care systems. "Our strike has achieved its first objective: to make known the reality within the public healthcare and social care systems," the SANITAS message reads.

Vacant posts in Healthcare unblocked

The Federation also considers a victory the adoption, on 29 July, by the Chamber of Deputies, of the amendment to the Healthcare Law permitting the unblocking of vacant posts, within the limits of approved budgets.

"On 29 July, the Sanitas Federation of Romania secured yet another victory: the Chamber of Deputies approved an amendment to the Healthcare Law, which allows the unblocking of vacant posts in Healthcare, within the limits of the approved budget," the union members emphasised.

Sanitas also notes that the adoption of the current draft pay legislation for staff funded from public funds has been postponed, at least for the time being. "The pay legislation bill, as 'sold' to us by the parties forming the interim government, FOR US, SANITAS, NO LONGER EXISTS!" the message reads.

General strike suspended

"From this moment, we have two new targets: negotiating a different pay legislation bill — fairer, more coherent, and more equitable; and conducting these negotiations with a political body holding lawful decision-making authority — either Parliament or a legitimately appointed government," SANITAS announced.

Pending the achievement of these objectives, the SANITAS National Council has decided to suspend the general strike. "Until these two objectives are met, the Sanitas National Council has decided to SUSPEND the general strike. We will revisit the suspension decision when a new pay legislation bill is registered in Parliament," the SANITAS Federation clarified.

The Federation maintains that suspending the strike will ease pressure on the healthcare system, patients, and medical staff.

SANITAS emphasises, however, that the strike has not ended and that the suspension decision will be reviewed once a new pay legislation bill is registered in Parliament. "The SANITAS strike is not over! It is suspended until a new bill on the pay of staff funded from public funds comes forward," the message states.

In the meantime, SANITAS members will continue to wear armbands and will remain, according to the federation, "on alert".