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Collective bargaining 2024-2025

In collective agreement negotiations PAM and the employers’ associations agree on pay rises and other terms of employment for all workers in PAM’s sectors.

Let’s make everyone’s working conditions better together!

PAM negotiates a better working life

We service sector professionals are united our pursuit of a better working life. Now is our time to make a difference – collective agreement negotiations for private service sectors begin soon.

On this page you’ll always find the current status of negotiations.

PAM’s goals in this round of negotiations

Wages in the service sectors have not kept up with the rising cost of living, and many workers live in constant uncertainty about their income. Cuts to social security and the increase in value added tax (ALV) have hit low-income earners the hardest, many of whom work in the service sectors.

Fair wages improve purchasing power, providing financial stability. Wage increases in low-wage sectors are spent on living expenses, not savings or investments. These extra earnings go back to businesses and service providers, helping the entire economy grow.

  • We demand wages that improve purchasing power for service sector workers

Income problems have worsened for service sector professionals working part-time against their will because of cuts in housing allowance and unemployment security. These cuts have especially affected women and families with children.

Involuntary part-time workers have to stay constantly available, hoping for extra hours. Many work two or more jobs. Planning your life and disconnecting from work is difficult.

Involutary part-time work is stressing and not not sustainable for employers either.

  • We demand solutions that lead to more full-time jobs for service sector workers.

Service sector workers are burdened by irregular shifts and night work, which have increased due to extended opening hours. Additional stress comes from fast-paced work, higher skill requirements, and little control over work schedules for example.

Improving work conditions benefits both employees and employers. Healthy workers take fewer sick days and have longer careers. This improves profitability and helps businesses and society facing labour shortages.

  • We seek solutions to reduce the workload for service sector workers. Work at burdensome hours should give same pay but for fewer hours.

Service sector workers need more control over their shifts, work pace, and the development of their workplace. Workers must also have the right to disconnect from work outside working hours.

Having more influence at work and work-life balance is directly linked to better well-being and fewer sick days.

Employee participation also boosts productivity through workplace development and creativity.

  • We demand solutions that give service sector workers more influence over their jobs.

Service sector productivity growth has been slow. Growth in productivity requires investment in both technology and employees’ skills.

Service sector workers are positive about training and are ready to improve their skills. Since funding for vocational training has been cut, training at the workplace and provided by the employer is becoming more important.

Skills development is every worker’s right. Skilled employees are also essential for the productivity and success of companies.

  • We seek the right to support, guidance, and paid training days for all service sector workers to develop their skills.

Negotiations between PAM and the employers association begin when the current agreement period is coming to an end.

First, proposals are gathered from the local union branches before the negotiations start. PAM’s general and sector-specific aims are decided. Pay increases are usually discussed last in negotiations. And in negotiations, nothing is decided until everything is decided.

If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, a mediator steps in to help find a solution.

When the agreement period for a collective agreement ends and there is no new agreement yet, there is a period without an agreement (sopimukseton tila). During this time, the terms of the old agreement continue to apply until a new collective agreement is reached.

During this period without an agreement, there is no obligation to maintain industrial peace (työrauha), which means strikes (lakko) and other industrial actions can happen—and the longer this period lasts, the more likely they become.

The final agreement is reached when the governing bodies of both sides approve the negotiation outcome.

Image of negotiation process 1. Workers' needs assessed based on their situation, proposals from local branches and other observations. 2. PAM's aims are prepared by Agreement sector commission and then decided by PAM's Executive Committee. 3. Negotiations are held between PAM and employers' association, both with their own goals and needs, and trying to find a deal both parties can accept. 4. Once a negotiation result has been reached it is reviewed by the agreement sector commission and the PAM's executive Committee either accpets or rejects it. 5. A new collective agreement is signed when both PAM and employers association have accepted a deal. Industrial peace obligation means there's no industrial action about the terms in the agreement.

Read more about negotiations on terms of employment

Separate negotiations for each sector

PAM negotiates 33 collective agreements with employers representatives, including the Finnish Commerce Federation, Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa, Real Estate Employers, and Service Sector Employers Palta.

See status of negotiations in your sector

Neuvotteluosapuolet: Alkon Liikeväki ALV ry and Service Sector Employers Palta.

Status of negotiations

  • Current agreement valid until 31 March 2025.​

More news and information in Finnish

Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa for employers.

Status of negotiations

  • Current agreement period ends 31 March 2025

More news and information in Finnish

Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta

Status of negotiations

  • Current agreement period ends 30 April 2025

More news and information in Finnish

Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta.

Status of negotiations

  • Current agreement period ends 28 February 2025

More news and information in Finnish

Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta / Markkinointipalvelujen Työnantajayhdistys ry

Status of negotiations

  • Current agreement period ends 28 February 2025

More news and information in Finnish

Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta.

Status of negotiations

  • Current agreement period ends 31 January 2025

More news and information in Finnish

Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta.

Status of negotiations

  • Current agreement period ends 28 February 2025

More news and information in Finnish

Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta.

Status of negotiations

  • Current agreement period ends 28 February 2025

More news and information in Finnish

Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta.

Status of negotiations

  • Current agreement period ends 28 February 2025

More news and information in Finnish

Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM and Trade Union for Theatre and Media Finland for employees, and for employer The Association of Finnish Theatres.

Status of negotiations

  • Current agreement period ends 28 February 2025

More news and information in Finnish

Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM and Trade Union for Theatre and Media Finland for employees, and for employer The Association of Finnish Theatres.

Status of negotiations

  • Current agreement period ends 28 February 2025

More news and information in Finnish

Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM and Pharmacy Employers’ Association Apta.

Status of negotiations

  • Current agreement period ends 30 April 2025​

More news and information in Finnish

Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta.

Status of negotiations

  • Current agreement period ends 28 February 2025

More news and information in Finnish

Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta.

Status of negotiations

  • Current agreement period ends 31 March 2025

More news and information in Finnish

Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa for employers.

Status of negotiations

  • Current collective agreement period ends on 31 October 2024.

More news in Finnish here

Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa for employers.

Status of negotiations

  • Current agreement period ends 31 March 2025

More news and updates in Finnish

Ajankohtaiset artikkelit ja uutiset

Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM & Electrical Workers´ Union and Service Sector Employers Palta.

Status of negotiations

  • Current agreement period ends 28 February 2025

More news and information in Finnish

Agreement sectorAgreement period startedAgreement period endsTermination of agreement
Ski centre1.11.202231.10.202431.8.2024
Programme services1.11.202231.3.202531.2.2025
Commerce sector1.2.202331.1.202531.12.2024
Retail supervisors1.2.202331.1.202531.12.2024
Bingo21.4.202328.2.202528.12.2024
Movie theaters21.4.202328.2.2025
Maintenance of appliances and service machines2.5.202328.2.202528.12.2024
Photo producers​2.5.2023​28.2.2025​28.12.2024​
Moving industry​2.5.2023​28.2.2025​28.1.2025​
National Opera and Ballet​18.4.2023​28.2.2025​28.12.2024​
Veikkaus​1.2.202328.2.2025​28.1.2025
Golf​21.4.2023​31.1.202531.12.2024​
Property services ​1.3.2023​31.3.2025 ​28.2.2025​
Private security​1.4.2023​31.3.2025​31.1.2025​
Alko​1.4.202428.2.202528.12.2024​
Customer service and telemarketing2.5.2023​28.2.2025​​28.12.2024
National theater​18.4.2023​28.2.2025​17.1.2025​
Hotel and restaurant employees1.4.2023​31.3.2025​31.1.2025​
Hotel and restaurant supervisors1.4.2023​31.3.2025​31.1.2025​
Avecra Oy, train service personnel​1.4.2023​30.4.2025​28.2.2025​
Amusement, theme and adventure parks1.4.2023​31.3.2025​-​
Pharmacy technicians ​1.5.2023​30.4.2025​30.3.2025​
A collective agreement is negotiated for a specified time period. For negotiations on new terms and pay rises to begin, one of the parties must first terminate the agreement. If no notice of termination is given in accordance with the agreement, the agreement continues, usually for one year at a time.

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PAM is your union if you work in the private service sector as a salesperson, cleaner, waiter, cook, security guard or caretaker, for example. We negotiate the terms and conditions of your job.

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