Jyväskylä initiates cooperation negotiations affecting municipal workforce amid budget cuts

The city of Jyväskylä is set to initiate cooperation negotiations this autumn. On Monday, the city council authorized the mayor to begin these negotiations, which will affect nearly the entire municipal workforce. Personnel Director Arja Aroheinä mentioned that the potential impact could involve up to 300 positions facing layoffs, part-time adjustments, or other measures, although this figure may change.

The negotiations are expected to last a minimum of six weeks, with results aimed to be finalized by mid-November, coinciding with the city council’s budget seminar. The outcomes of the negotiations are intended to be implemented from 2024 to 2026.

The backdrop for these negotiations is Jyväskylä’s goal to reduce its budget by €7.7 million next year, with an anticipated need for an additional €6 million in savings by 2026. According to the 2024 budget, personnel expenses account for about half of the city’s external operational costs.

As of last May, Jyväskylä employed nearly 3,800 permanent staff and over 1,200 temporary workers. It is important to note that these negotiations will not impact the Employment Services sector, which is preparing for the TE reform set to commence in early 2025.