Kommunal in Sörmland is divided into three sections: section north (Eskilstuna and Strängnäs), section northeast (Nyköping, Trosa, Oxelösund and Gnesta) and section northwest (Katrineholm, Vingåker, Flen and Region Sörmland).

- We have two to three hundred members who are affected if this comes into force in all our municipalities except Oxelösund, says Petra Lindqvist, chair of the Municipal Section northeast.

The situation looks almost the same in section north.

- We have a number of private nursing homes and home care staff in Eskilstuna and Strängnäs who work under the agreements that are affected, so it may be a couple of hundred people who are affected, says Magnus Eriksson, chairman of the Municipal Section North.

Stuck

Since December, Kommunal and Almega Vårdföretagarna have been negotiating the terms for 55,000 employees in private care and nursing, as well as elderly care.

However, the negotiations have stalled, according to Kommunal, which is now threatening conflict.

According to the union, the dispute over the special wage investment in vocationally trained people that got through for public employees in the agreement with Sweden's municipalities and regions.

Mapping in progress

Right now, work is underway in both Kommunal's section north and nostost to map what and where the members are affected by a possible strike.

This is to be able to reach out with important information to the members about what is happening, and what you as a person may need to think about.

- This raises a lot of concerns and many thoughts.

But I also think it's important to point out why we do this.

We want our privately employed members to have the same conditions as those within the municipality and region.

Especially this year where we have seen how hard our members are fighting and how little value it seems to have with some employers, says Petra Lindqvist.

However, healthcare providers think differently.

- We do not oppose an extra investment in vocationally trained people, but the cost must be accommodated within the framework we agree on in the Swedish labor market.

The model for wage setting that we have in Sweden guarantees stability and good conditions for both employees and companies.

It has also, over the years, provided substantial real wage increases for all occupational groups.

We stick to the Swedish model and want to sign agreements within the framework that the social partners have decided together, says Antje Dedering, Vårdföretagarna's union director, in a statement.

SVT Sörmland is also looking for Kommunal's section northwest for a situation picture.