- We have had long-term problems, but when a wage increase was withdrawn in June, it was the last straw, says Eva Lodin, who is vice chairman of the Healthcare Association in Västernorrland.

She herself has been active as a work environment representative since 1989 and describes long-term problems.

- Already for five to ten years, we sounded the alarm about work environment deficiencies to the Swedish Work Environment Authority.

There were many reorganisations and it became noticeable when resources were reduced.

It got tough and we and Kommunal made demands together.

It got a little better and then got worse again, she says.

- Now we will launch a savings plan after the turn of the year and there will be changes for our members.

At the same time, we have a care debt.

This is going to be tough.

Projects did not solve the problems

The staffing problems in Sollefteå worsened this year when the region stopped paying SEK 5,000 extra per month to nurses in the medical departments, she states.

The salary increase was part of a recruitment project that started in 2019.

- With the result in hand, it was not so wise.

It ended in February, then came a new organization and new managers.

The surcharge remained and then deducted from the June salary when many felt that they had worked hard.

It was bad timing and was the last straw, says Eva Lodin at Vårdförbundet.

Work on the basic problems

The effect was that 14 people resigned this summer.

And even the employer is self-critical when it comes to the temporary investment.

Although from the beginning it was clear that the salary supplement was just temporary.

- You end up in a difficult situation on the day the project ends.

The method is not really good.

Collective rewards are preferable, says HR manager Ewa Strömsten.

Internal mobility to be preferred

A certain staff turnover must be taken into account in a large organization, says the HR director.

But she wants internal mobility in the first place.

- Basically, we have to keep the staff we have.

We must have a functioning pay policy, a functioning work environment and good managers.

We need to work more on that, says Ewa Strömsten.