EPOC Network Event: Sectoral organising in Finland
Over recent months, unions in Finland have been in a struggle around sectoral collective bargaining. A huge response from Finnish unions, involving widespread industrial action, eventually won significant concessions and several sectoral agreements have been agreed in the first months of 2023 with large pay rises for workers. However, this struggle did not come from nowhere. Over an extended period of time employers in several countries—including Finland—that have traditionally been associated with strong sectoral collective bargaining have been ‘trying their luck’. From the financial crisis to the pandemic and now a cost-of-living crisis, many organising campaigns by unions in Europe in recent years have found themselves confronted by employers seeking to undermine collective bargaining. As a movement we must not allow this to happen.
EPOC was established in 2019 specifically to work with affiliated unions to support them in defending, extending and (re)building sectoral collective bargaining. The recent struggle in Finland is not only a great example of why this is so important but also demonstrates how essential it is that all our unions have clear and well-developed organising and collective bargaining strategies, as well as strong teams to carry them out. Organising and trade union renewal is essential for all trade unions, no matter how well-established.
This EPOC Network event will discuss the origins of the attack on collective bargaining in Finland and chart the response of unions, including the outlook for the future.
Programme
- Welcome from UNI Europa Regional Secretary Oliver Roethig
- Interventions from UNI affiliates:
- Mikko Siljander, Palvelualojen ammattiliitto (PAM)
- Mika Häkkinen, Teollisuusliitto
- Open discussion
This is a hybrid event: Zoom & in-person (UNI Europa offices, Rue Joseph II 40, 1000 Bruxelles)
Date: Tuesday 18 April, 14:00-15:30 CET
**The event will be in English, however if you have any requests for interpretation then please contact Ben Egan, UNI Europa organising director ben.egan@uniglobalunion.org **
