A union representing health care workers announced that it will stage a general strike next week, should negotiations with the government on increasing the workforce due to the pandemic fall through.

At a press conference on Friday, the union said 81-point-82 percent of its 56-thousand-91 members voted, of which 89-point-76 percent supported the strike.

The union said unless the government meets its demands for more workers, improved working conditions, and the establishment of hospitals specializing in infectious diseases, the walkout will begin at 7:00 a.m. Thursday.

Personnel in emergency rooms, intensive care units and delivery rooms, however, will remain to prevent medical accidents.

An eleven-hour negotiation between the union and the Health Ministry on Thursday had ended without an agreement.