[Finland] Proposed law could limit nurses’ right to strike

In Finland, a controversial new law that would effectively force striking nurses back to work is due to come into force within a fortnight. However, most government parties remain quiet about their views of the Patient Safety Act, yle reports.

At the end of last week, Minister for Family Affairs and Social Services Aki Lindén (SDP) began preparing for the proposed law to come into force after his ministry said new nurses' strikes threatened patient safety.

Nurses' unions Super and Tehy have reportedly issued strike warnings in five different regions with the intention of speeding up negotiations in their labour dispute.

Lindén initially proposed the Patient Safety Act last spring but after provoking controversy it failed to proceed when healthcare unions called off a second major strike.

Swift action

To have any impact on nurses' strikes planned for this month, the bill would have to be pushed through quickly.

Healthcare unions have reportedly said the Patient Safety Act amounts to a forced labour law because it curtails their freedom to strike.

Tehy chair Millariikka Rytkönen did not respond to Finnish news agency STT's request for comment.

In addition, STT reached out to government parties to get their views on the proposed law.

Centre Party parliamentary group chair Juha Pylväs reportedly provided the clearest response, telling STT his party would support Lindén's proposal.

"Society has to ensure that saving lives and critical care are available in all situations," he told STT over the phone.

Representatives from the ruling Social Democrats and Left Alliance meanwhile said they were waiting for more information before commenting on the bill's latest developments.

Atte Harjanne - chair of the Greens' parliamentary group - reportedly told STT the party was generally critical of the proposed law.

However, Harjanne said he understood that Lindén was stuck between a "rock and a hard place," and noted that the care sector was chronically understaffed.

STT said it was not able to reach the Swedish People's Party for comment.

Super and Tehy have reportedly demanded a five-year salary programme, in conjunction with salary increases, which would increase salaries by 3.6 per cent every year for five years on top of the general salary bump.

In June, unions and employer groups settled a major municipal sector labour dispute but nursing unions did not participate in the negotiations. The unions announced they would continue their campaign for pay increases after the summer break while preparing for a campaign of mass resignations.

Source: yle

(Links and quotes via original reporting)

In Finland, a controversial new law that would effectively force striking nurses back to work is due to come into force within a fortnight. However, most government parties remain quiet about their views of the Patient Safety Act, yle reports.

At the end of last week, Minister for Family Affairs and Social Services Aki Lindén (SDP) began preparing for the proposed law to come into force after his ministry said new nurses' strikes threatened patient safety.

Nurses' unions Super and Tehy have reportedly issued strike warnings in five different regions with the intention of speeding up negotiations in their labour dispute.

Lindén initially proposed the Patient Safety Act last spring but after provoking controversy it failed to proceed when healthcare unions called off a second major strike.

Swift action

To have any impact on nurses' strikes planned for this month, the bill would have to be pushed through quickly.

Healthcare unions have reportedly said the Patient Safety Act amounts to a forced labour law because it curtails their freedom to strike.

Tehy chair Millariikka Rytkönen did not respond to Finnish news agency STT's request for comment.

In addition, STT reached out to government parties to get their views on the proposed law.

Centre Party parliamentary group chair Juha Pylväs reportedly provided the clearest response, telling STT his party would support Lindén's proposal.

"Society has to ensure that saving lives and critical care are available in all situations," he told STT over the phone.

Representatives from the ruling Social Democrats and Left Alliance meanwhile said they were waiting for more information before commenting on the bill's latest developments.

Atte Harjanne - chair of the Greens' parliamentary group - reportedly told STT the party was generally critical of the proposed law.

However, Harjanne said he understood that Lindén was stuck between a "rock and a hard place," and noted that the care sector was chronically understaffed.

STT said it was not able to reach the Swedish People's Party for comment.

Super and Tehy have reportedly demanded a five-year salary programme, in conjunction with salary increases, which would increase salaries by 3.6 per cent every year for five years on top of the general salary bump.

In June, unions and employer groups settled a major municipal sector labour dispute but nursing unions did not participate in the negotiations. The unions announced they would continue their campaign for pay increases after the summer break while preparing for a campaign of mass resignations.

Source: yle

(Links and quotes via original reporting)