Annika Rönni-Sällinen was elected new President of EFFAT

EFFAT, the umbrella organization of European trade unions in the food, agriculture and tourism sectors, met this week in Valencia, Spain. During the two-day congress, elections were held and goals for the coming years were decided upon.

The congress is held every five years, and this year marked the sixth congress of EFFAT. The congress convened on Wednesday and Thursday in Valencia. It brought together 81 European trade unions to discuss and decide on the organization’s activities for the coming years.

Service Union United PAM’s President Annika Rönni-Sällinen was elected new President of EFFAT for the upcoming term of office 2025–2029.

– I am proud to have the opportunity to work for workers in all sectors represented by EFFAT. We represent groups of workers who are in many ways in the most vulnerable position in the labour market. This is also a tribute to the Finnish culture of cooperation. We now have better opportunities to influence the position of Service Union United PAM’s tourism and hospitality workers at the European level, says Rönni-Sällinen. 

EFFAT defends workers’ rights in Europe and promotes social dialogue, sustainable development and social justice. It also influences European legislation.

– It is important that EFFAT has a seat at the tables where individual unions do not have a place. The situation and views of workers in the tourism and food sector must be brought to the attention of policymakers, also at a European Union level, and we cannot do this alone.   

Towards a more sustainable and fairer working life  

The meeting adopted a joint programme that outlines EFFAT’s priorities for the coming years. In the coming period, EFFAT will focus on defending workers’ rights, a just transition in climate change and social justice. EFFAT wants to improve working conditions by pushing for regulation of employment agencies and the conditions of subcontracting chains, and to strengthen collective bargaining.

In the tourism sector, EFFAT aims for a sustainable and socially responsible tourism model that is fair for workers, the environment and local communities. It also supports the organising work of unions.

– Collective bargaining must be strengthened across Europe, and in this regard, EFFAT supports the trade union work at national level. Global warming is already affecting all professional branches in Europe, and this is where broad cooperation is needed, says Rönni-Sällinen.

The role of the union representative is important  

PAM’s members present at the meeting were Laura Torkkeli, Jussi Piispanen and Hanna Puhakka. Laura Torkkeli gave a speech at the meeting, in which she brought attention to the vulnerable position of young and immigrant workers in fast food restaurants.    

Torkkeli works as the chief union representative for 17 McDonalds restaurants in Finland and said that most questions she gets are about work visas and actual working hours vs. work shifts. These also directly affect the workers’ livelihood and stay in the country. In her speech, Torkkeli emphasized the role of the union representative as a supporter of workers and reminded that the right to elect a union representative for workplaces is the result of hard work by the unions.   

– The employees have been relieved to know that there is someone who helps and who you can turn to confidentially. Without the union, I would not be in this role, because the union trained me, and thanks to the union, a head shop steward has been elected at my workplace.

More information on EFFAT’s webpage  

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Text: Minna Raitapuro
Pictures: Tiina Huotari, EFFAT