Keusote proposes talks over 120 person years of cuts

Keski Uusimaa wellbeing services county, known as Keusote, is proposing new change negotiations that would cover its entire workforce, Yle reported on Friday.

The preliminary estimate is that staffing would need to be reduced by a total of 120 person years. The maximum number of employees or public officials facing dismissal would be 100, while up to 20 people could be moved to part time work.

The reductions could also be achieved through retirements, unfilled positions, the end of fixed term contracts and reorganising work.

Keusote is additionally proposing that its staff be furloughed for 14 days next year.

The county executive board will consider the proposal next Tuesday. If it decides to launch the negotiations, they will begin the following Wednesday and end on November 10.

Financial difficulties drive savings

Keusote has faced a difficult financial situation in recent years. In the summer, the Ministry of Finance began advance financial steering, requiring Keusote to take concrete measures to balance its finances and cover its deficits.

Keski Uusimaa wellbeing services county must refine its productivity and financial efficiency programme for 2027 to 2029. The programme includes savings and productivity measures worth more than 57.4 million euros.

Keusote also plans to redesign its network of social and healthcare services during the autumn as part of the savings programme.

The county last held change negotiations in the spring. Those negotiations ended in late May, with 35 employees facing dismissal.