Lanzarote Ambulance Staff Resume Friday Protests as Pay and Working Conditions Dispute Continues
Ambulance workers across Lanzarote are set to resume industrial action this Friday as an ongoing dispute over pay, working conditions and a new collective bargaining agreement continues across the Canary Islands.
The demonstrations form part of a wider campaign involving emergency medical transport staff throughout the archipelago, with union representatives saying negotiations with the companies operating the ambulance services have reached a standstill.
Why are Lanzarote ambulance staff protesting?
The CCOO union, which represents many ambulance workers in the Canary Islands, says employees are calling for:
- Improved salaries that better reflect the demands of the job.
- Better working conditions.
- Greater professional recognition for emergency medical technicians.
- Progress on a new collective labour agreement after negotiations reportedly became blocked.
Union officials argue that ambulance crews play a vital role in the region’s healthcare system and deserve employment conditions that match the responsibility of providing emergency medical care.
When are the protests taking place?
The latest protests are scheduled for Friday between 10:00am and 12:00pm across all Canary Islands, including Lanzarote.
The demonstrations are part of an ongoing programme of industrial action that began earlier this summer after two full strike days in June. Since then, workers have continued with weekly Friday protests and partial work stoppages while negotiations remain unresolved.
Will tourists be affected?
At present, tourists visiting Lanzarote should not expect major disruption to emergency ambulance services.
Healthcare transport strikes in Spain are subject to minimum service requirements, meaning emergency and essential ambulance cover continues to operate even during industrial action. While some non-urgent patient transport may experience delays, emergency medical responses remain protected by law.
Visitors should continue to dial 112 in the event of a genuine medical emergency.
What does this mean for Lanzarote residents?
Residents may notice demonstrations outside healthcare facilities, including Hospital Universitario Doctor José Molina Orosa in Arrecife, where previous protests have been held.
Anyone with scheduled non-emergency medical transport may wish to check with their healthcare provider if they have concerns about possible delays, although essential services are expected to remain operational.
Is an agreement close?
At the time of writing, there has been no announcement that a new collective agreement has been reached.
Union representatives maintain that negotiations remain stalled and say protests will continue until meaningful progress is made on wages, working conditions and professional recognition for ambulance staff across the Canary Islands.
What travellers need to know
For anyone planning a holiday in Lanzarote:
- Emergency ambulance services remain available.
- Dial 112 for any medical emergency.
- The protests are not expected to affect flights, hotels or tourist attractions.
- Some routine or non-urgent medical transport services could experience delays while industrial action continues.
Although the dispute is attracting attention across the Canary Islands, visitors can continue to enjoy their holiday as normal while keeping informed of any future developments.
