The strike was called by the Portuguese Nurses Union (SEP) on 16 July, claiming that the presentation of the proposal to change the salary scales had not yet been fulfilled, which led to the suspension of negotiations at the meeting scheduled for that day.

The SEP met again on Wednesday with the Minister of Health and at the end of the meeting the president of the SEP, José Carlos Martins, told journalists that the strike would continue because the proposal presented by the Government continues to be "unacceptable and intolerable” and as such the nurses have “additional reasons to express their strong indignation”.

According to José Carlos Martins, the Ministry of Health proposed a 52 euro increase in the salary scale for nurses for all positions.