Reader’s Opinion | The nurses’ industrial struggle is specifically about appreciation

Opinion|Reader’s opinion

Helsingin Sanomat in the editorial (September 24) it was stated that the nurses’ industrial action is about money, not appreciation. I would argue that it is precisely about appreciation. It is very understandable that the nurses are tired of the nice speeches with which they have been told that their work is appreciated. They demand that its appreciation must finally also be reflected in salary and working conditions.

Parliament was not driven to legislative work by the extreme means of the nursing unions, but by the decision-making bodies’ conscious choice, spanning government periods, not to influence the issue of wages and working conditions in the public sector. In other words, beautiful speeches have never been realized into practical actions. It is specifically about value choices and genuine appreciation, i.e. what we are ready to spend money on.

It is great that the parliament gives value to the human spirit and thereby highlights the importance of the work of caregivers. However, instead of the so-called patient safety law, I would have liked to see genuine responsibility and understanding from the parliament for a matter that concerns us all.

Now the nurses are being blamed for rejecting the municipal contract in the spring. One may ask what would have happened if they had graciously accepted it? Would the shortage of nurses and the reasons that led to it in terms of pay and working conditions still surface in all their harshness? They hardly would.

Nurses are now highlighting an important issue for the future of our society and offer an opportunity for change. At the same time, they work for the appreciation of all low-wage sectors.

Päivi Ruuskanen

editor, Sipoo

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