"We have received so much support from the patients. No one has become upset or angry," says Amanda Schelin, who works at Heimdall Health Center.
The conflict between Vårdförbundet and the employer, the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR), has been ongoing since April. What started with an overtime ban escalated on June 4 when several regions went on strike for shorter working hours.
As talks between the parties haven't yielded a resolution yet, the strike was widened on Tuesday. Region Västerbotten is among the six impacted regions, and in Skellefteå, there are now over 50 striking workers. Åsa Nilsson is one of them.
– Our demands aren't unreasonable; they reflect what other unions have already secured. It's crucial for the future of healthcare. Otherwise, we risk having excellent, large hospitals with no staff to operate them, says Nilsson, standing in the lunch line at Arken. This gathering spot is where everyone involved assembled after leaving their workplaces.
The strike has widened to include staff from additional departments. Anderstorp Health Center, Eriklid Health Center, Heimdall Health Center, the 1177 healthcare advice service, and the ophthalmology clinic are now affected, joining those who stopped work last week.
– I have butterflies in my stomach over not going to my job, says one of the members of Vårdförbundet who has just gone on strike.
– It's tough on both my remaining colleagues who have to pick up the slack and the patients who will face delays.
– If there are no measures taken, I think there will be mass resignations, says Thomas Nyman, who works at Heimdall Health Center.
Vårdförbundet argues that the demand for shortened working hours is primarily what the employers finds difficult to accept.
– Unfortunately, the employers in SKR are unwilling to negotiate with us about shorter working hours. But we won't give up, says Sineva Ribeiro, chairperson of the Vårdförbundet to TT.
On the other hand, SKR claims that the Vårdförbundet has rejected all proposals from them and the mediators.
"The healthcare sector needs every employee, and reducing working hours on a large scale will impact both patients and the working environment," says Sten Nordin, vice-chair of the negotiating delegation for SKR and the Sobona association board, in a press release.
The staff is going on strike until the parties reach an agreement.