South Ostrobothnia starts talks over cuts affecting 400 person-years

South Ostrobothnia’s wellbeing services county has begun employment negotiations that could affect up to 400 person-years, Yle reports. The county did not announce the start of the negotiations itself; Tehy magazine reported it first.

County executive Tero Järvinen confirmed the information and said the negotiation proposal was sent to chief shop stewards on September 11.

“The budget framework already approved by the county board requires an additional 15 million euros in adjustments in 2027. The personnel impacts are a direct consequence of this,” Järvinen said. He added that an assessment group shared the same view of next year’s need for adjustments.

The negotiations are being held separately by area of operation. They began with health services and corporate services.

Järvinen said the current estimate for next year’s total adjustment need was 15 million euros, using all available measures. The figure could still change depending on the forecast for this year’s financial result.

According to Tehy magazine, the estimated reduction need is 154 person-years in health services and 80 person-years in corporate services. Järvinen said the original estimate for the entire organisation was about 400 person-years.

Retirements will be taken into account in the adjustments. The final personnel cost reductions will also depend on how many other measures are identified during the preparation of the budget and plan and through the assessment procedure.

In addition to dismissals, the county may introduce part-time arrangements and temporary layoffs. South Ostrobothnia’s wellbeing services county employs just over 11,000 people.

The county is currently subject to an assessment procedure. It has accumulated a combined deficit of 121 million euros during its first operating years.