Eloisa faces layoffs as negotiations conclude in South Savo, Finland

Eloisa, the wellbeing area in South Savo, has concluded its fourth round of cooperative negotiations. As a result of these negotiations, 168 employees face layoffs, from a workforce of approximately 8,000. The negotiations aim to achieve savings of €7.2 million, with a target of €39 million over the next two years. Several other wellbeing areas are also undergoing similar negotiations, with staff cost-saving targets ranging from €4 million to €50 million.

The planned cuts will significantly affect personnel and services across Eloisa, particularly impacting nursing assistants and registered nurses. Specifically, 129 positions in elderly care and 101 in health services will be eliminated, with closures planned for Juva and Sulkava inpatient wards. Final decisions on these savings will be made by the regional council in early October.

Santeri Seppälä, the director of the wellbeing area, criticized the funding system, stating that savings must this time focus on frontline work, as previous rounds targeted managerial positions. “The need for savings does not arise from the wellbeing area itself,” he emphasized, noting that state funding has decreased since the establishment of wellbeing areas. Last year’s savings measures were sufficient based on then-current funding decisions.

Seppälä expressed concern over the upcoming funding calculations for next year. However, he acknowledged that Eloisa’s situation remains relatively good, with some of the shortest waiting lists for care services in Finland currently.

Other wellbeing areas are also engaged in negotiations aimed at substantial savings, impacting thousands of jobs. For instance, North Savo is targeting €10 million, while Helsinki aims for €50 million in savings. In a public consultation, Eloisa received over 1,750 suggestions for achieving required savings, including reducing service points and increasing remote consultations.