– The healthcare association has said no to all proposals that both we and the mediators have put forward. Now, instead, they are putting forward a counteroffer that goes further than their original demands. It is remarkable. We have always been prepared to find solutions, says Jeanette Hedberghead of negotiations at Sweden’s Municipalities and Regions (SKR).
The offer that SKR and Sobona made on Wednesday met the demands of the Health Confederation on a number of points. The healthcare association said no to, among other things:
- Continued prioritization of particularly skilled workers and investment in career models
- A working time reduction for full-time employees who work a mixture of day and night on weekdays but not on Sundays and public holidays
- Central conditions for nurses who are offered educational employment in specialist training and midwifery training.
- A salary agreement without a specified level in the central agreement, in accordance with the Swedish Health Confederation’s request
- Four declarations of intent regarding health factors for a strengthened work environment, about competence provision to retain and recruit more employees and to have a future discussion about working hours and a sustainable working life.
A conflict would have major consequences for healthcare
If SKR and Sobona do not come to an agreement with Vårdförbundet on a new agreement before Thursday, April 25 at 4 p.m., then Vårdförbundet’s conflict notice will come into effect.
The care union’s conflict measures are both about preventing overtime work, additional work and new hires. Scheduled surgeries, follow-ups and return visits may have to be reduced or even closed during a conflict, resulting in longer wait times.
– If the conflict breaks out, it will cause major problems in health care. Resources will need to be concentrated on emergency operations and treatments to avoid danger to life and health. Other professional groups, which are not covered by the conflict, also risk having to work more and with a higher load, says John Nilssonhead of negotiation Sobona.
Five departments have said yes
– We have already signed five collective agreements with our other unions in the sector, which together comprise over one million employees. We have offered the Health Care Association the same changes that other unions have accepted as well as some additional conditions and solutions that are specific to the Health Care Association, says Jeanette Hedberg.
SKR and Sobona want a one-year agreement where we and Vårdförbundet jointly take responsibility in an uncertain time. It is a tough economic situation with large deficits in municipalities and regions and, in addition, a large lack of skills and labor in the entire labor market.
