SANITAS suspends the general strike in hospitals, but warns: the pay legislation "no longer exists" for them

The SANITAS Federation has announced the suspension of the general strike in hospitals, a decision taken by the union's National Council after the protest had, according to the organisation, achieved some of its objectives. The move comes in the context of the Chamber of Deputies having approved the unblocking of vacant posts within the healthcare system, whilst the adoption of the new pay legislation for publicly funded staff has been postponed.

The SANITAS leadership clarifies that the suspension of the strike does not mean the end of the labour dispute, but rather an opportunity to resume negotiations on a new legislative bill, which the union considers more equitable than the current one.

"We were heard"

Federation representatives regard as a success the approval, by the Chamber of Deputies, of an amendment to the Health Act permitting the unblocking of vacant posts within the system, within the limits of the approved budget. The unionists also welcome the postponement of the adoption of the Pay Act for publicly funded staff.

"Today we can say with full conviction: We succeeded! We were heard! We have shown that SANITAS is an organised, determined, and united force," reads the message sent to union members.

The Pay Act — the main cause of the dispute

SANITAS argues that, in its current form, the pay legislation bill is "inequitable and lacking in economic logic" and can no longer serve as a basis for discussion. The unionists state that they have presented arguments and calculations both to political decision-makers and to World Bank experts, and refer to a court ruling according to which the caretaker Government would not have the political competence to promote such a legislative bill.

What comes next

The Federation has announced two priorities for the period ahead: negotiating a pay bill that is "fairer, more coherent, and more equitable," and holding discussions with a political authority that holds a legal mandate to make decisions — either Parliament or a future fully empowered government. SANITAS states that it will reassess the suspension of the strike once a new bill has been registered in Parliament.

The strike remains suspended, not concluded

"We are not ending the strike — we are giving the political sphere a chance to reset and to resume negotiations towards a new pay act," the union's representatives communicate, warning that should their demands not be resolved, the general strike may be resumed without the need to go through the entire legal procedure again.

Alliance with the five major trade union confederations

SANITAS announces that it has extended its actions in conjunction with the five major trade union confederations — CNSLR-Frăția, Cartel Alfa, BNS, CSDR, and Meridian — which are calling for the negotiation of a new pay act for the entire public sector. According to these organisations, the new legislation must be negotiated with social partners and adopted by a government or a Parliament with a full mandate, not on an emergency basis.

The Federation urges its members to remain mobilised and warns of possible misinformation regarding the status of the protest: "The SANITAS strike is not over. It is suspended until a new pay bill for publicly funded staff comes forward." In the meantime, union members will continue to wear armbands and remain on alert, whilst the federation's leadership will press ahead with efforts to negotiate a new pay act.