Pharmacists are returning to the streets and raising the stakes: after more than 20 months of unsuccessful negotiations, a national strike will be held on April 13th to demand a renewal of the collective bargaining agreement.
The mobilization will also involve Sardinia. A sit-in is planned in Oristano in front of the regional headquarters of Federfarma , while a delegation from the island will attend the national demonstration in Rome. The protest follows a lengthy period of negotiations, which the unions deemed inconclusive.
This situation has led pharmacists to a renewed mobilization: "It is no longer acceptable," declared Cristiano Ardau, general secretary of UILTuCS Sardinia, "that, despite ever-increasing responsibilities, high levels of professionalism, and a central role in the healthcare system, pharmacists continue to see their contracts suspended and their work undermined."
The mobilization aims not only to unblock the contract renewal, but also to gain broader recognition of the role pharmacists play on a daily basis, especially after the pandemic years, which have strengthened their role as a local healthcare provider.
"April 13th," Ardau concludes, "is a crucial day. It's not just about a contract, but the professional and financial recognition of a category that provides an essential service to citizens every day."
On April 13th there will be two main moments of the protest: in Rome, with the national demonstration in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, and in Oristano, where a picket is planned at 10 am in front of the regional headquarters of Federfarma in Viale Diaz.
(Unioneonline)
