Romanian Medical Staff Suspend Strike, Threaten Resumption Over Salary Law

Romanian medical unions have suspended a three-day strike, citing significant gains, but warn of renewed protests if salary negotiations falter. The Sanitas union federation announced the suspension Friday, following partial work stoppages in approximately 500 hospitals nationwide. The union declared victory in securing judicial recognition as social dialogue partners and unblocking over 6,800 medical positions.

“

We have registered several victories. In the first place, the decision of the Bucharest Court of Appeal, regarding the recognition as social dialogue partners. But we also gained the unblocking of over 6,800 posts and, in addition, we had yesterday's demonstration, with technical teams from the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Health, where it was acknowledged that over 40% of Health employees will have salary losses.

Sanitas also highlighted the interim government's acknowledgment that over 40% of healthcare employees face potential salary cuts under the current legislative proposal. "We have registered several victories," said Răzvan Gae, vice president of Sanitas, in a statement to Adevărul. "We gained the unblocking of over 6,800 posts, and yesterday's demonstration showed that more than 40% of health employees will have salary losses."

Despite these concessions, the strike remains suspended, not ended. Union members will continue wearing armbands as a symbol of their ongoing demands. They threaten to resume a full-scale strike if the proposed salary law, which they deem unfair and inequitable, is sent to Parliament without addressing their concerns about income reductions. The union seeks a more just and coherent legislative project.

“

We have only suspended the strike, we have not stopped the engines. If the current form of the salary law is not abandoned and reaches Parliament in a form that includes salary losses, we will resume the general strike.

Gae emphasized that the union's primary objective is now negotiating a fairer project with a legitimate political authority, whether Parliament or a designated government. He noted that most patients showed understanding during the strike, and emergency services were prioritized. "We have only suspended the strike, we have not stopped the engines," Gae stated. "If the current form of the salary law is not abandoned and reaches Parliament in a form that includes salary losses, we will resume the general strike."

“

In a relatively normal way, many patients were understanding, some even had messages of support for our actions. Emergencies were resolved with celerity.