Santa Cruz mayor calls health worker strike 'unjustified,' warns of layoffs

The mayor of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Manuel 'Mamén' Saavedra, has declared a 72-hour health worker strike in the department as "unjustified." Saavedra asserted that the municipal government has already settled outstanding salaries and vaccination bonuses, which were the primary demands of the health sector.

During a tense exchange with a union representative from the Bajío del Oriente Municipal Hospital, Saavedra stated that the municipal administration made an "extraordinary effort" to clear pending obligations. He explained that the city had paid three and a half months of salaries in just two months, covering debts from the previous administration. The vaccination bonus was also reportedly paid ahead of schedule.

Saavedra differentiated between medical and administrative staff, noting that doctors continue to provide patient care while administrative personnel are participating in the strike. He mentioned reaching an agreement with union leaders to separate the two groups.

However, the mayor issued a stern warning: if administrative staff do not return to their duties on Thursday, the third day of the protest, their contracts will be terminated. Saavedra announced that the city would initiate public bidding on Friday to hire new personnel for the municipal health system if dismissals occur. The union representing health workers at the Bajío del Oriente Hospital rejected Saavedra's statements, calling them disrespectful and unacceptable.

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No puede haber un paro sin justificación. Nosotros hemos hecho un esfuerzo extraordinario. Hemos dejado de pagar muchas cosas. ¿Por qué? Porque a ustedes se les debía un sueldo de la anterior gestión. Básicamente en dos meses hemos pagado tres meses y medio de sueldo