Varha plans co-determination negotiations to identify savings in Varsinais-Suomi

The Varsinais-Suomi welfare area (Varha) plans to initiate co-determination negotiations aimed at identifying savings. According to an internal information invitation seen by Yle, Varha intends to implement changes related to organization, management, staffing levels, and operational efficiency. The proposal to start these negotiations will be presented to the regional board next week.

An informational session for staff regarding the savings and negotiation process will take place on Thursday, August 22, in the morning. The invitation to this event is available on Varha’s internal website. Laura Sauramo, the Director of Corporate Services for Varha, confirmed to Yle that the staff meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, though she could not clarify if it pertains to the entire welfare area’s personnel.

Yle has sought comment from Tarmo Martikainen, the head of the Varsinais-Suomi welfare area, regarding this matter. The regional board of the welfare area is set to meet again on August 27.

Varha is facing a deficit expected to exceed €160 million this year and has been searching for ongoing savings. The goal for this year’s deficit is to reduce it to €130 million, which has led to the approval of various cost-cutting packages. Earlier this year, Varha decided to abandon any staff layoffs after the regional board rejected proposals for such measures.

In a related development, the HUS group, responsible for specialized healthcare in Uusimaa, announced this week the initiation of negotiations that aim to save €50 million, affecting nearly 1,000 jobs in the region.