Vårdförbundet initiated a labor action across Sweden, affecting 63,000 members, following stalled negotiations with the employers' side.

This blockage, starting Thursday afternoon, halts overtime, additional hours, and the signing of new employment contracts for nurses, midwives, biomedical analysts, and radiology nurses in all regions including major hospitals and ambulance services in Stockholm.

The union's demands for gradual work hour reductions, sustainable scheduling, and fair wage progression were unmet, leading to this decision.

The conflict, ongoing since the turn of the year, has already impacted patient care, causing delays and cancellations in less critical surgeries and appointments.

In response, healthcare regions are preparing risk assessments and may command mandatory work in life-threatening situations despite the blockage.