Industrial action

A strike (or work stoppage) means that workers stop working to put pressure on their employer or employer organization.

PAM’s Executive Committee decides when industrial action, such as a strike, will begin and end.

The Finnish Constitution guarantees the freedom of association and assembly and the right to strike. Finland has also ratified the ILO core conventions that ensure all workers have the right to organize and take collective action to defend their interests.

An overtime ban is a form of industrial action. PAM’s board decides when an overtime ban will be applied.

During an overtime ban, workers do not work overtime.

Overtime is always voluntary. During an overtime ban, workers unite in refusing overtime work requested by the employer.

Generally, overtime is any work beyond 40 hours per week. If, for example, a three-week period is used in the industry, then overtime is defined as more than 120 hours in a three-week period.

Part-time workers follow the same rules. They may work extra hours up to the overtime limit, even during an overtime ban.

Some workplaces have systems for averaging working time over many weeks. In these situations, whether work is considered overtime is determined case by case.

During an overtime ban no extra hours should be added to working time banks or similar systems. It is not acceptable for employers to use on-call employees or agency workers to circumvent the overtime ban.

An overtime ban can apply to a single company, an entire sector, or all PAM-organized industries. PAM will always announce where an overtime ban is in effect.

Overtime bans can be used when negotiating a new collective agreement, trying to influence political decisions or supporting industrial action in another sector.

A shift change ban is another form of industrial action. PAM’s executive committee decides when it will be applied.

During a shift change ban, workers do not agree to any changes to the work schedule requested by the employer. Workers arrive and leave exactly according to their published work schedule. During the ban, no extra time is added to work time banks or similar systems.

A shift change means any adjustment to a published schedule, whether swapping shifts with another worker or changing the time of a shift (such as the start time).

A solidarity strike is when one group of workers goes on strike to support another group that is already striking.

The goal of a solidarity strike is to increase pressure on employers so workers can reach an agreement for better working conditions.

Solidarity strikes are legal in Finland, as long as they follow laws and agreements. Employers cannot prevent workers from participating in a solidarity strike.

PAM’s Executive Committee decides when to organize a solidarity strike.

A walkout is a form of industrial action where workers leave the workplace for a set period to express dissatisfaction. Workers might walk out because of employer decisions, working conditions, wages, or social or political issues.

A walkout is usually spontaneous, short-term, and symbolic. It is meant to get attention and highlight workers’ concerns or demands.

A lockout is an industrial action by employers. During a lockout workers are denied access to the workplace and salaries are suspended.

Employers use lockouts to put pressure on workers, for example to weaken the effects of a strike.

Lockouts are legal in Finland if they follow labour laws. They can only happen after a collective agreement has expired. A lockout must be announced at least 14 days in advance, just like a strike.

During a lockout workers do not receive wages, but they can apply for strike pay from their union. Workers are not required to work, and employers are not required to pay salaries.

A political strike is an industrial action where workers stop working to influence political decisions, laws, or government policies. Political strikes are not about the collective agreement, but dissatisfaction with political or social issues.

Political strikes are organized when workers want to:

• Oppose government decisions that weaken worker rights, labour laws, or social security
• Influence national discussions about issues like budget cuts, taxes, or privatization
• Support broader social justice causes like equality, environmental protection, or just working life.

Political strikes are legal in Finland because they are protected under freedom of speech and assembly.

Employers cannot punish workers for joining a political strike, but they do not have to pay wages for the strike period.

Political strikes are usually short, lasting from a few hours to a day. The goal is to increase pressure on politicians by gaining public attention and showing strong opposition.

A political strike is an important right for workers to influence society and government decisions that affect their lives.