Union Calls for Strike Over Equal Pay for Part-Time Workers

The Kommunal union has issued a strike warning set to commence at 07:00 on June 16 if no agreement is reached with Almega Vårdföretagarna. The union's primary demand is for part-time employees to receive the same overtime compensation as their full-time counterparts.

Recently, similar agreements were established with both SKR and Sobona, highlighting the union's efforts to ensure equitable conditions across different sectors. Malin Ragnegård, the union's president, emphasized the importance of aligning benefits between public and private sector contracts.

Healthcare centers, hospitals, and nursing homes are expected to be affected by the strike. While the exact number of individuals included in the strike warning is uncertain, approximately 50,000 workers are employed in the relevant sectors, with 63% being part-time staff in private elderly care facilities.

Ragnegård criticized Vårdföretagarna for refusing to meet the union's demands without substantial exceptions, denouncing the situation where they pursue competitive advantages while generating significant profits.

The planned actions include a strike warning against private healthcare companies and a blockade on new hiring, staffing, overtime, and additional work hours within the elderly care sector nationwide, according to Kommunal.

Per Östlund, the head of negotiations at Vårdföretagarna, expressed regret over the strike warning, stating that they would have preferred to continue discussions to establish a new agreement within the parameters jointly set by labor market participants.

Östlund further remarked that the union is demanding more than any other group within the Swedish labor market and that efforts to find solutions, especially concerning additional work hours, have not been accepted by Kommunal.

The affected professions represented by Kommunal include nursing assistants, care workers, chefs, and cleaners. The strike warning is applicable throughout Sweden and may be expanded if negotiations do not progress.