Among other things, the rise in electricity prices brings a lot of additional costs to the operator of large buildings.
The zoo companies in Ähtäri are preparing for the increase in costs by starting the change or yt negotiations on Monday. For example, the increase in the price of electricity brings a lot of additional costs to the maintenance companies of large buildings.
– We prepare for the winter and the future and secure the continuity of operations. The costs are increasing and the corona threat still exists.
Savings primarily through layoffs
The negotiations concern all employees of both the animal park and the hotel. Ähtärin zoological park Oy and Hotelli Mesikämmen Oy employ a total of 42 permanent people.
Savings are primarily sought through layoffs. The organization and operations are also reviewed during the negotiations, so layoffs are not completely ruled out either.
– The measures may lead to all or part of the staff being furloughed for a maximum of 90 days, as well as the dismissal or part-time employment of a maximum of four people, the zoo companies say in their press release.
CEO Arja Väliaho calculates that the measures can save 100,000 euros in personnel costs.
– We have a common will and we are thinking about different flexible ways of working, such as placing employees in other locations or tasks in the company. We also investigate the use of day off and annual leave arrangements. In addition to personnel costs, we are also looking for all possible ways to save costs in other areas of operation, says Väliaho in the press release.
A continuation of the previous autumns
Ähtäri’s zoo companies have adjusted their operations through collective bargaining also in the previous two autumns, mainly due to the corona virus.
Arja Väliaho assures that austerity measures have no effect on animal welfare.
– Animal welfare is our number one priority.
The CEO hopes that autumn and winter will bring bookings, when planned layoffs can even be cancelled.
Helsingin Sanomat was the first to report on the change negotiations starting this fall.
Good for groups – less family travel
Ähtäri Zoo’s summer is starting to get packed. The CEO has both good things to say and weaker numbers than last summer.
– There has been growth in class trips and group tourism, but in family tourism we will not reach the customer numbers of summer 2021.
_Clarifications about the upcoming change negotiations have been added to the article after the zoo companies sent a notice about the upcoming change negotiations. The additions were made on 25 August 2022 at 14:02._