At 12 o’clock, yesterday Wednesday, day staff from the home service in Storuman blocked all traffic on Blå vägen except for the municipal hall for a couple of minutes. The reason for the protest was to show their support for night workers who are not allowed to take part in a temporary increase in OB compensation.
– We wanted to show our support for our colleagues. In my opinion, night is really inconvenient working time, says a person who participated in the traffic stop to SVT.
Not valid after 10pm
Storuman, like many other municipalities, has tried to attract temporary workers to solve staffing during the summer holidays. The municipality has therefore promised an increased OB compensation during the period 19 June to 27 August.
Assistant nurse Eira Henriksson works at night and is one of those who does not get a share of the investment – as the temporarily increased OB allowance does not apply between 10-6pm on weekdays.
– We believe that the municipality discriminates against us who work at night, she says.
Eira did not participate in the blockade herself, but she appreciates the gesture and believes that it feels good that the night staff have the support of their colleagues who work during the day.
“Takes criticism to heart”
On Wednesday afternoon, she submitted a letter to the municipality together with a petition – where they demand that night staff should also be allowed to take part in the increased OB compensation. If this is the case, it will only be decided after the summer holidays when the municipality evaluates the summer.
– Somewhere we had to draw the line because these are means outside the framework. We are facing a tough economic situation in the coming year, writes Helena Steen, social manager in Storuman in a written comment to SVT and continues:
– We take on board the criticism and the views that have come forward. If, after the evaluation is completed, it appears that something has gone wrong, we will of course fix it.