Satakunta welfare region avoids layoffs after payroll talks conclude

Cooperative negotiations at the Satakunta welfare region in western Finland have ended without redundancies, public broadcaster Yle reports.

The talks, which began in February, involved over 200 employees across child, youth, and family specialist services, adult services, elderly care, and psychiatric care. The welfare region had initially aimed to reduce staffing by up to 19 positions.

During the negotiations, alternative solutions were found to avoid layoffs. However, some employees will need to change work locations, while others will see adjustments to their job duties, working hours, or pay.

Satakunta’s welfare region has conducted multiple rounds of cooperative negotiations in recent years, including talks in early 2024 regarding disability services.

In a related development, the region has warned of potential funding cuts amounting to millions of euros.