Pirkanmaa county plans talks as up to 40 positions could go

Finland’s Pirkanmaa wellbeing services county plans to begin employee cooperation negotiations affecting nearly 620 people, Yle reports. Up to 40 positions could be reduced in services for older people and people with disabilities, although the county plans to offer other work to those affected.

The negotiations would cover around 20 separate changes that could affect employees’ duties and placement. Three of the changes could lead to staff reductions. The county says it is not setting a specific financial savings target for the negotiations.

“We cannot yet say which units the possible reductions would concern,” wellbeing services county director Marina Erhola said at a briefing on Wednesday.

The county board is due to decide on launching the negotiations on Thursday, September 17. They could begin no earlier than September 25 and would last at least six weeks.

The negotiations would cover 450 employees in hospital services, approximately 160 in services for older people and people with disabilities, and about 10 in outpatient services. Services for children, young people and families would not be included.

The planned changes are partly linked to legislative amendments, service demand, the end of a rental agreement and safety concerns. Social and health services director Taru Kuosmanen said some premises might no longer be safe for residents or staff.

“It can be difficult to get new clients into a unit if there is too much unrest there,” Kuosmanen said.

The county board must confirm the proposal for the negotiations and decide on implementation by November 23. The county wants to coordinate the process with preparations for next year’s budget.

Pirkanmaa’s finances are expected to develop roughly as planned this year, and the county says it will cover its previous deficits. Next year, however, is expected to be difficult because funding will rise by only 0.2 per cent, or five million euros, while wages are set to increase by 4 per cent.

Despite the financial pressure, Pirkanmaa aims to move into a period of stabilisation after years of extensive reforms. Erhola said the county would carry out significantly smaller reforms than most other wellbeing services counties from now on.