Overview
- Medical unions coordinated stoppages on 14–15 January across communities including Catalunya, Madrid, the Basque Country, Galicia, Navarra, Valencia, Murcia and Asturias to press for a profession‑specific statute and workplace reforms.
- Regional authorities set elevated minimum service levels to protect urgent and critical care, with Galicia ordering 100% coverage in emergency lines, ICUs, reanimation, dialysis and oncology treatments.
- Pressure on hospitals remains high in hard‑hit areas such as Vigo, where flu‑driven occupancy and December strike backlogs prompted extra minimum staffing and concerns over further strain.
- Participation varied by territory and union, with low follow‑through reported in parts of Andalucía such as Málaga at around 10%, and some organizations in Murcia and Extremadura not adhering to this call despite backing broader mobilizations.
- The dispute has sharpened political friction as Health Minister Mónica García asked regions to state positions on union demands and Madrid health chief Fátima Matute accused the ministry of unilateral negotiation, while unions seek voluntary on‑call rules, a 35‑hour week, A1+ classification, improved MIR pay and retirement changes.