PAM Council resolution: The reduced purchasing power must be restored and the feeling of security strengthened in working life  

Several modest salary increases, the pandemic, Russia’s war of aggression, the high inflation and the government’s austerity measures. This is the recipe that has led to a historically weak purchasing power for an average hard-working wage earner in Finland. Today, purchasing power is at the same level as ten years ago when looking at the development of real incomes. In this situation, many hard-working employees in the service industry are struggling to make ends meet.

We are well prepared for the upcoming collective bargaining by having a cooperation with SAK affiliated unions. The joint coordination took shape last week when we jointly announced our salary increase targets.

We are aiming for two-year agreements with a salary increase of 6 percent or at least 150 euros for the first year in full-time work, and 4 percent or at least 100 euros for the second year. With this goal, we will bridge the purchasing power gap and prepare for inflation during the agreement period, albeit at a slower rate.

Now the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK together with the right-wing parties, is horrified when wage earners unanimously demand reasonable wage increases. In other words, increases that would at least partially close the purchasing power gap. It would mean slightly more money for everyday life. We have to get by on wages – is that something to be horrified by?

The public disapproval of the employer unions when it comes to wage earners’ coordination is somewhat comical and degrading. So it is not alright for them that we are gathering strength, but their unilateral coordination suits them more than well.

Every employee has the right to receive a comprehensive onboarding and to feel respected at their work. The safety and health of every person is a fundamental right. This fundamental right also applies to professionals in the service sector. The PAM Council demands significant improvements in occupational safety, a review of working alone with the safety of employees in mind, and a rapid enactment of legislation enabling a restraining order in company premises.

The employees in service sectors deserve a living wage. The PAM Council demands an open and honest discussion about the real problems of low-wage sectors. For example, in the property services sector, unfair pay leads to a weakening of the industry’s attraction and retention power.

We strive for a humane workload and a sufficient number of working hours. We strive for influence over the content of work and the right to additional training in a changing working world. For us at PAM, it is about what we deserve – and we deserve an agreement on a better working life!

The negotiations will be difficult. This can be seen already now, when the Industrial Union issued the first strike warning after the negotiations stalled. The PAM Council gives its full support to the Industrial Union as they pave the way for the entire union movement.

We at PAM are a union for each other and supporting each other – always. However, working together does not come about of itself. It requires the contribution of every member. We are united by the goal of a better working life. Now is the time to make our voices heard. You can be involved and ensure better working conditions for everyone.

Municipal and regional elections will be held in mid-April.

It is important that there are decision-makers in municipalities and welfare areas who know the everyday lives and work of service sector workers. This will only be achieved if PAM members stand for election and exercise their right to vote in the elections. These elections will determine how the everyday lives of all of us will look like.

We PAM members are not afraid to open our mouths and influence when it is needed to promote common goals – whether in municipal or regional elections or in collective bargaining negotiations.

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PAM’s Council gathered in Helsinki: “Working towards the same goal will be decisive in the coming negotiations”

26.11.2024