Nurses in Catalonia demand pay rise to end indefinite strike

The nursing union Infermeres de Catalunya has demanded a pay rise equivalent to the A1 level to end the ongoing strike that began on December 12.  

In a meeting with Catalan Health Minister Manel Balcells on Thursday, the nurses demanded to be upgraded to a higher salary category in line with their education.

According to sources in the Ministry of Health, Balcells has promised to negotiate with the Spanish government, which is in charge of approving the salary increase. 

"Although the competence lies in Madrid, the Catalan government can create a homologation supplement that allows nurses to enjoy this recognition in the meantime," said Núria Guirado, president of the nursing union, after the meeting. 

However, Balcells warned that the Catalan government has no authority to implement such a measure and reminded the nurses that the latest agreement of the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS) already includes a partial increase of €1,700 per year.  

None of the main unions (CCOO, Ugt, Metges de Catalunya and Satse) supported the strike. Satse, the largest nurses' union in Catalonia, actively campaigned against the strike and accused Infermeres de Catalunya, a smaller nurses' union, of being "electoralist".  

Infermeres de Catalunya is determined to continue the strike and protests planned for next week.