Healthcare on strike – this is what the union demands

The situation within healthcare in Sweden is no longer sustainable, according to the healthcare union, which has gone on strike. The major point of contention revolves around how many hours per day one should work. Here are some of the union's demands:

» Updated:

» Published:

Healthcare on strike – this is what the union demands
Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT

Share this article

The situation in healthcare in Sweden is no longer sustainable, according to the healthcare union, which has gone on strike. The major point of contention is about how many hours per day one should work.

Here are some of the union's demands:

The major bone of contention between the union and the employers, including the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR) and Sobona, concerns working hours. The Swedish Association of Health Professionals wants to see a gradual reduction in working hours.

In the first instance, they have demanded a reduction in working hours of 75 minutes per week or 15 minutes per day. The union argues that shorter working weeks have been successful in neighbouring Nordic countries.

However, the employers have categorically rejected the demand for shorter working hours, citing economic unviability.

The union also wants to see more "sustainable rotas" so that healthcare staff can get the recovery time they need to be able to work a full career. The Swedish Association of Health Professionals argues that many healthcare workers are forced to work part-time because they cannot cope with the demands of full-time work under current conditions.

"The lack of recovery time leads to staff going part-time, and in the worst case, being signed off sick", wrote the union's chair, Sineva Ribeiro, in a debate article coinciding with the overtime blockade coming into effect on 25 April.

Overall, the Swedish Association of Health Professionals' industrial action is about improving the working environment, but they also want to see higher wages and a reduced pay gap between women and men. The union has not specified exactly how much higher wages they are seeking.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

FTC Investigates Google and Amazon Over Advertising Practices

FTC Investigates Google and Amazon Over Advertising Practices

US Proposes G7 Tariffs on China and India Over Russian Oil Purchases

US Proposes G7 Tariffs on China and India Over Russian Oil Purchases

Taco Bell Plans Expansion into Sweden with First Stockholm Location

Taco Bell Plans Expansion into Sweden with First Stockholm Location

Russia's Central Bank Makes Smaller Than Expected Interest Rate Cut

Russia's Central Bank Makes Smaller Than Expected Interest Rate Cut

ECB Officials Divided on Future Interest Rate Decisions

ECB Officials Divided on Future Interest Rate Decisions

Klarna CEO Secures Billion-Kronor Loan to Buy Out Co-Owner

Klarna CEO Secures Billion-Kronor Loan to Buy Out Co-Owner

Six Suspects in Consultant Scandal Face Charges After Spain Raid

Six Suspects in Consultant Scandal Face Charges After Spain Raid

Microsoft to Remove Teams from Office Package in EU Agreement

Microsoft to Remove Teams from Office Package in EU Agreement

UK Economy Growth Stagnant in July as GDP Remains Unchanged

UK Economy Growth Stagnant in July as GDP Remains Unchanged

German Inflation Rises to 2.2 Percent in August

German Inflation Rises to 2.2 Percent in August

Stockholm Stock Exchange Rises Amid Global Market Upswing

Stockholm Stock Exchange Rises Amid Global Market Upswing

Insurance Guide: What to Know After Västernorrland Floods

Insurance Guide: What to Know After Västernorrland Floods

Asian Stock Markets Rise on Week's Last Trading Day

Asian Stock Markets Rise on Week's Last Trading Day

Trump Seeks Court Approval to Dismiss Fed Member Before Rate Decision

Trump Seeks Court Approval to Dismiss Fed Member Before Rate Decision

Warner Bros Discovery Surges on Wall Street Amid Paramount Bid Rumors

Warner Bros Discovery Surges on Wall Street Amid Paramount Bid Rumors

US Inflation Matches August Expectations

US Inflation Matches August Expectations

ECB Keeps Interest Rates Steady

ECB Keeps Interest Rates Steady

Novo Nordisk to End Remote Work in 2024

Novo Nordisk to End Remote Work in 2024

Switzerland Suggests Moving Gold Refineries to USA to Lower Tariffs

Switzerland Suggests Moving Gold Refineries to USA to Lower Tariffs

Klarna's Stock Market Debut Attracts Swedish Small Investors

Klarna's Stock Market Debut Attracts Swedish Small Investors