Health unions set out plans for next stage of strike action

Finland

The Tehy and SuPer nurses’ unions have confirmed the dates for the second period of industrial action following the first set of strikes launched on 1 April. The next stage will begin on 20 April and end on 4 May and will affect specialised medical care in 13 hospital districts, with approximately 35,000 nurses on strike. The postponement is to allow the Conciliation Committee sufficient time for mediation. The severe shortage of nurses in areas like elderly care means that this sector will be excluded from the strike as the unions point out that the staffing levels regulated by law are often not met and endanger patient safety even during normal times. A key objective of the unions is to find a solution to the staff shortages and they have proposed a rescue programme for the sector, which would increase the salaries of health and social services personnel by 3.6% annually for five years in addition to the usual contract increases.fi

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