The Swedish Association of Health Professionals is cancelling the strike for its members in Östergötland, reports Corren. The reason is the region's lack of staffing, which is said to be so slim that a strike would constitute a threat to society.
What poses a threat to society and patient safety is when healthcare is so fragile in a region where we cannot exercise our rights. This only confirms that we are so understaffed that the employer refuses to let us strike to save healthcare, says Amanda Barkarö, local conflict leader for the Swedish Association of Health Professionals to the newspaper.
In Östergötland, around 250 midwives, biomedical analysts, radiology nurses, and nurses have been on strike since 4 and 11 June, respectively. However, the affected members will now return to their ordinary work from 20 and 24 June, respectively.
The overtime and extra work ban, which affects nearly 4,000 employees, remains in place.
Several strike notices withdrawn
Several strike notices are also being withdrawn. Region Västerbotten and the Swedish Association of Health Professionals have agreed to end the strike at several clinics in Umeå and Skellefteå. The Swedish Association of Health Professionals has also unilaterally chosen to withdraw the strike notice for 1177.
At both the county's emergency departments and health centres, visits have increased as people who have not received answers over the phone have sought help directly at the receptions.
"We have a close dialogue with the unit managers and are exploring different alternatives to ensure safe care throughout the summer. This may affect the staff's planned holidays," says Elisabeth Karlsson, healthcare director in Region Västerbotten.
Deemed a threat to society
In Region Västmanland, the strike notice was also withdrawn after local negotiations, and several regions have deemed the measures a threat to society and demanded that the union cancel the strike.
