Home » Collective bargaining 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! Follow negotiations in your sector Join PAM Strikes and industrial action 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 – negotiations on collective agreements in the service sectors are underway. PAM’s goals in this round of negotiations Fair pay 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. Enough working hours 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. Manageable workload 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. More say in the job 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. Maintain current protections against dismissal The Government of Petteri Orpo is preparing a change of legislation to weaken protection against dismissal. Currently, the employer must have proper and weighty reason to fire an individual employee. The government wants to change the law so that a proper reason is all that is needed. Additional changes weakening protections are also proposed. However, it is possible agree in collective agreements to maintain the current dismissal protections. Insecurity and inequality will increase, if the current level of employee protections against dismissal are not ensured through collective agreements. There would no longer be clarity on the rules and procedures. Service sector employers often highlight the importance of social responsibility in their business. Low-wage service sector workers already suffer from higher prices, involuntary part-time work with too few working hours, and for example cuts to housing benefit. A socially responsible employer does not increase insecurity by making it easier to fire employees. PAM wants to ensure, that the rules on dismissals are fair and predictable for all service sector employees in future. We demand in collective agreement negotiations, that current protections against dismissal and clear rules and practices are maintained, even if the law is weakened. Articles collective bargaining employment relationship Fair dismissal protection benefits everyone 21.1.2025 The right to learn 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. How collective agreements are made 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. Read more about negotiations on terms of employment Timetables for sectoral negotiations Agreement sectorAgreement period startedAgreement period endsTermination of agreementSki centre1.11.202231.10.202431.1.2025*31.8.2024Programme services1.11.202231.3.202531.2.2025Commerce sector1.2.202331.1.202531.12.2024Retail supervisors1.2.202331.1.202531.12.2024Bingo21.4.202328.2.202528.12.2024Movie theaters21.4.202328.2.2025–Maintenance of appliances and service machines2.5.202328.2.202528.12.2024Photo producers2.5.202328.2.202528.12.2024Moving industry2.5.202328.2.202528.1.2025National Opera and Ballet18.4.202328.2.202528.12.2024Veikkaus1.2.202328.2.202528.1.2025Golf21.4.202331.1.202531.12.2024Property services 1.3.202331.3.2025 28.2.2025Private security1.4.202331.3.202531.1.2025Alko1.4.202428.2.202528.12.2024Customer service and telemarketing2.5.202328.2.202528.12.2024National theater18.4.202328.2.202517.1.2025Hotel and restaurant employees1.4.202331.3.202531.1.2025Hotel and restaurant supervisors1.4.202331.3.202531.1.2025Avecra Oy, train service personnel1.4.202330.4.202528.2.2025Amusement, theme and adventure parks1.4.202331.3.2025-Pharmacy technicians 1.5.202330.4.202530.3.2025A 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.* PAM and MaRa agreed to extend the ski centre agreement period by three months. 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. Ongoing negotiations Bingo Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta. Status of negotiations 6 February: Negotiations began Current agreement period ends on 28 February 2025 More news and information in Finnish Commerce sector Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM and Finnish Commerce Federation for employers. Collective agreements for commerce sector workers retail supervisors Status of negotiations 27.2.2025: The mediation of the labor dispute in the commerce sector has continued today under the leadership of the National Conciliator. No negotiation result has been reached. The matter will be revisited again tomorrow. 27.2.2025: Negotiators from PAM and the Finnish Commerce Federation met under the mediator’s guidance and continued negotiations late into the evening on Wednesday, February 26. PAM and the Finnish Commerce Federation will meet again at the mediator’s office on Thursday, February 27. National Conciliator Anu Sajavaara has continued mediating the labor dispute after the strikes. 24.2.2025: The collective agreement negotiations in the commerce sector continued between PAM and the Finnish Commerce Federation. The negotiating parties will meet again on Wednesday, February 26. 21.2.2025: The collective agreement negotiations for the commerce sector will continue on Monday, February 24, between PAM and the Finnish Commerce Federation. 18.2.2025: The commerce sector labor dispute has been mediated today. No agreement has been reached. The National Mediator will continue mediating the dispute with PAM and the Finnish Commerce Federation on Friday, February 21. 16.2.2025: PAM’s strike begins – mediation in the labour dispute did not produce results. The National Conciliator will meet the negotiating parties again on Tuesday, February 18. 13.2.2025: The National Mediator will continue mediating the dispute with PAM and the Finnish Commerce Federation on Sunday, February 16. 13.2.: The mediation in the commerce sector has continued this week. The negotiating parties met earlier in the week and will continue the mediation at the National Conciliator’s office on Thursday, February 13. 4.2.2025: Mediation in the retail sector labor dispute continued today under the leadership of the National Conciliator. Negotiations will resume on Thursday, February 6, and Monday, February 10. In addition, negotiators from PAM and the Finnish Commerce Federation will continue working on the situation during the mediation breaks. If no agreement is reached, work stoppages in retail logistics will begin on February 17, and store strikes will start on February 19. 4.2.2025: The mediation of the labor dispute between PAM and the Finnish Commerce Federation has started under the leadership of National Conciliator Anu Sajavaara on Monday, February 3, 2024. The mediation will continue this Tuesday afternoon. The progress of the mediation process and its schedule can be followed on the National Conciliator’s official X account. 31.1.2025: We deserve an agreement for a better working life – PAM declares strikes in the commerce sector. Information on the strikes here 30.1.2025: PAM breaks off negotiations on the commerce sector collective agreement. PAM’s Executive Board will meet on Friday, January 31, to assess the situation and consider continuing negotiations or taking other measures. 29.1.2025: Negotiations in the commerce sector have continued this week. The next round of negotiations will take place on Thursday, January 30. Negotiations for the collective agreement of supervisors in retail have also continued and will proceed throughout the week. 24.1.2025: The commerce sector negotiations have continued. The next meeting of the commerce sector’s main negotiating group will take place on Monday, 27 January. 22.1.2025: Negotiations in the commerce sector have continued, with text-related objectives being discussed. The large negotiation group for the commerce sector will next meet on Friday, 24 January, to review the overall situation. Negotiations for supervisors in the retail sector have also proceeded as normal, with the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 28 January. 16.1.2025: Working conditions for supervisors in the retail sector were discussed, and text-related objectives were addressed during the negotiations. The negotiations will continue next Tuesday. 15.1.2025: Commerce sector negotiations continued – fair solutions are actively pursue. On Thursday 16th negotiations for collective agreement for retail supervisors will take place. 8.1.2025: Commerce sector collective agreement negotiations began. The negotiations will continue in smaller preparatory groups later this week and early next week. 19.12.2024: PAM and the Finnish Commerce Federation representing employers met for the first time. At the meeting, PAM officially notified the employer representatives of the termination of the commerce sector collective agreement, which means the current agreement will expire on 31 January 2025. Latest news from the sector Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector PAM’s Executive Committee: Decisions on industrial action, commerce sector negotiations on hold 28.2.2025 Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector industrial action PAM’s strike begins – mediation in the labour dispute did not produce results 16.2.2025 Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector Overtime ban implemented across the entire commerce sector 7.2.2025 Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector We deserve an agreement for a better working life – PAM declares strikes in the commerce sector 31.1.2025 Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector PAM breaks off negotiations on the commerce sector collective agreement: Concrete steps and open discussion needed 30.1.2025 News collective bargaining commerce sector Commerce sector negotiations: Solutions are sought intensively 23.1.2025 Customer service and telemarketing Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta / Markkinointipalvelujen Työnantajayhdistys ry Current agreement period ends on 28 February 2025. Status of negotiations 19 February: PAM announced strikes targeting 6 major companies on 6-7 March. Read more in Finnish or Swedish. 18 February: PAM cut off negotiations because there was no progress. 21 January: Negotiations began More news and information in Finnish Golf Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta. Status of negotiations Negotiations started on 21 January. Current agreement period ends 31 January 2025 More news and information in Finnish Hotel, restaurant and leisure industry Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa for employers. Status of negotiations 27 February: Negotiations begun and continue 12 March. Current agreement period ends 31 March 2025 Latest news from the sector Press releases collective bargaining hotel and restaurant industry supervisors in hotel and restaurant industry Negotiations on the collective agreement for the tourism, restaurant and leisure services have begun 27.2.2025 Articles hotel and restaurant industry membership PAM member won in court: Cook awarded over 60,000 euros in compensation and unpaid wages 9.1.2025 News hotel and restaurant industry property services sector Global Week of Action for Hotel Housekeepers recognises employees’ contribution to hotel comfort and customer experience 13.12.2024 Maintenance of appliances and service machines Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta. Status of negotiations 6 February: Negotiations began Current agreement period ends 28 February 2025 More news and information in Finnish Movie theaters Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta. Status of negotiations 13 February: Negotiations began Current agreement period ends 28 February 2025 More news and information in Finnish Moving industry Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta. Status of negotiations 12 February: Negotiations began Current agreement period ends 28 February 2025 More news and information in Finnish National Opera and Ballet – technical groups, supervisors and masters 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 Negotiations began on 14 January. Current agreement period ends 28 February 2025 More news and information in Finnish National Theatre, technical staff 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 7 February: Negotiations began Current agreement period ends 28 February 2025 More news and information in Finnish Photo producers Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta. Status of negotiations 14 February: Negotiations began Current agreement period ends 28 February 2025 More news and information in Finnish Private security Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Service Sector Employers Palta. Current agreement period ends on 31 March 2025. Status of negotiations 19 February: Negotiations began. Both sides presented their proposed changes to the collective agreement. More news and information in Finnish Property services sector Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Real Estate Employers. Current agreement period ends 31 March 2025 Status of negotiations 19 February 2025: PAM and the Real Estate Employers’ Association met in the first negotiation. PAM informed the employers’ association about the termination of the collective agreement for employees in the real estate services sector, which means the current agreement will end at the end of the contract period on March 31, 2025. In the first meeting, the goals of both parties were reviewed at a general level, and the negotiation work will continue according to the agreed schedule. Latest news from the sector Press releases collective bargaining property services sector Property services sector negotiations have started: PAM demands a fair increase in purchasing power, the recognition of professional skills in wages and equality to mid-week public holidays 19.2.2025 News hotel and restaurant industry property services sector Global Week of Action for Hotel Housekeepers recognises employees’ contribution to hotel comfort and customer experience 13.12.2024 Articles hotel and restaurant industry property services sector “Hotel housekeepers should be proud of the work they do” 9.12.2024 Ski centers Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM for employees and Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa for employers. Status of negotiations PAM announced strikes for 3-4 March at major ski centres. Read more PAM has declared ban on overtime and shift changes starting 3 February. Read more Collective agreement period ended on 31 January 2025. Negotiations began again on 17 January 2025. After three weeks of negotiations in October and November, PAM and MaRa agreed to extend agreement period by three months. More news and updates in Finnish here Veikkaus Oy Negotiating parties: Service Union United PAM & Electrical Workers´ Union and Service Sector Employers Palta. Status of negotiations 5 February: Negotiations began Current agreement period ends 28 February 2025 More news and information in Finnish Upcoming negotiations by sector Alko 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 Amusement, theme and adventure parks 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 Avecra, train service personnel 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 Pharmacies 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 Programme services 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 News Katso kaikki Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector PAM’s Executive Committee: Decisions on industrial action, commerce sector negotiations on hold 28.2.2025 Press releases collective bargaining hotel and restaurant industry supervisors in hotel and restaurant industry Negotiations on the collective agreement for the tourism, restaurant and leisure services have begun 27.2.2025 Press releases collective bargaining property services sector Property services sector negotiations have started: PAM demands a fair increase in purchasing power, the recognition of professional skills in wages and equality to mid-week public holidays 19.2.2025 Press releases collective bargaining industrial action ski centres PAM announces strike in ski centre industry – targets Finland’s largest ski centres 16.2.2025 Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector industrial action PAM’s strike begins – mediation in the labour dispute did not produce results 16.2.2025 Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector Overtime ban implemented across the entire commerce sector 7.2.2025 Articles collective bargaining industrial action The right to strike also applies to temporary agency workers 7.2.2025 Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector We deserve an agreement for a better working life – PAM declares strikes in the commerce sector 31.1.2025 Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector PAM breaks off negotiations on the commerce sector collective agreement: Concrete steps and open discussion needed 30.1.2025 News collective bargaining commerce sector Commerce sector negotiations: Solutions are sought intensively 23.1.2025 Read also Different kinds of collective agreements Collective agreements in PAM’s sectors Local bargaining agreements Become a member 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. Read more and join
Articles collective bargaining employment relationship Fair dismissal protection benefits everyone 21.1.2025
Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector PAM’s Executive Committee: Decisions on industrial action, commerce sector negotiations on hold 28.2.2025
Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector industrial action PAM’s strike begins – mediation in the labour dispute did not produce results 16.2.2025
Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector Overtime ban implemented across the entire commerce sector 7.2.2025
Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector We deserve an agreement for a better working life – PAM declares strikes in the commerce sector 31.1.2025
Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector PAM breaks off negotiations on the commerce sector collective agreement: Concrete steps and open discussion needed 30.1.2025
News collective bargaining commerce sector Commerce sector negotiations: Solutions are sought intensively 23.1.2025
Press releases collective bargaining hotel and restaurant industry supervisors in hotel and restaurant industry Negotiations on the collective agreement for the tourism, restaurant and leisure services have begun 27.2.2025
Articles hotel and restaurant industry membership PAM member won in court: Cook awarded over 60,000 euros in compensation and unpaid wages 9.1.2025
News hotel and restaurant industry property services sector Global Week of Action for Hotel Housekeepers recognises employees’ contribution to hotel comfort and customer experience 13.12.2024
Press releases collective bargaining property services sector Property services sector negotiations have started: PAM demands a fair increase in purchasing power, the recognition of professional skills in wages and equality to mid-week public holidays 19.2.2025
News hotel and restaurant industry property services sector Global Week of Action for Hotel Housekeepers recognises employees’ contribution to hotel comfort and customer experience 13.12.2024
Articles hotel and restaurant industry property services sector “Hotel housekeepers should be proud of the work they do” 9.12.2024
Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector PAM’s Executive Committee: Decisions on industrial action, commerce sector negotiations on hold 28.2.2025
Press releases collective bargaining hotel and restaurant industry supervisors in hotel and restaurant industry Negotiations on the collective agreement for the tourism, restaurant and leisure services have begun 27.2.2025
Press releases collective bargaining property services sector Property services sector negotiations have started: PAM demands a fair increase in purchasing power, the recognition of professional skills in wages and equality to mid-week public holidays 19.2.2025
Press releases collective bargaining industrial action ski centres PAM announces strike in ski centre industry – targets Finland’s largest ski centres 16.2.2025
Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector industrial action PAM’s strike begins – mediation in the labour dispute did not produce results 16.2.2025
Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector Overtime ban implemented across the entire commerce sector 7.2.2025
Articles collective bargaining industrial action The right to strike also applies to temporary agency workers 7.2.2025
Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector We deserve an agreement for a better working life – PAM declares strikes in the commerce sector 31.1.2025
Press releases collective bargaining commerce sector PAM breaks off negotiations on the commerce sector collective agreement: Concrete steps and open discussion needed 30.1.2025
News collective bargaining commerce sector Commerce sector negotiations: Solutions are sought intensively 23.1.2025
