Tornio may cut up to 28 full-time equivalent jobs

The City of Tornio may reduce its workforce by up to 28 full-time equivalent positions after cooperation negotiations concluded, Yle reports. Nearly 60 employees could also face substantial changes to their employment terms.

The negotiations ended without agreement. Employee representatives proposed alternatives to job cuts, including exchanging holiday bonuses for time off. At the start of the talks, the city had estimated that up to 30 full-time equivalent positions could be cut and that changes to employment terms could affect up to 70.

Tornio began the negotiations in September, seeking annual savings of about €1.1 million in personnel costs from next year. According to the city, the changes agreed now are expected to deliver those savings from 2028.

The city is seeking savings because its forecast for 2027 to 2029 projects a deficit of more than €20 million. Tornio has nearly 1,000 permanent and fixed-term employees. The negotiations did not cover the Meri-Lappi employment services, Meri-Lappi environmental services, Tornionlaakso Museum or Aine Art Museum.

No decisions have yet been made on measures affecting staff. They will be taken after consideration by the city board, and the impact on employees could still change. City manager Jukka Kujala said Tornio would seek to support staff through the changes, which he acknowledged would be difficult for some employees.