Facility services sector strike: ”We do need those euros”

No agreement has been reached on collective agreement in facility services sector, and therefore a three-day strike started early Thursday. The dispute is about pay says Annika Rönni-Sällinen President of Service Union United PAM.

Kuvassa PAMin puheenjohtaja ja jäseniä kyltit kädessä.

Collective agreement negotiations and mediation did not lead to the hoped result. PAM’s president Annika Rönni-Sällinen says the reason is different views on how wages should be raised.

“Pay increases in percent are much smaller for those with low wages than for high earners. But we buy food with euros, so we do need those euros right now.”

Inflation has hit low-wage workers the hardest, for example cleaners.

“We hope to get increases that would be targeted especially to those with the lowest wages. Cleaners and janitors do really need proper pay rises.”

Pay is a sign of appreciation

The industrial action is also about showing appreciation for the workers in the sector. Facility services sector needs a labour force that can cope on their wages and appreciate the work they do.

“During the covid-19 pandemic the work of cleaners was praised, but now that seems to have been forgotten”, says Rönni-Sällinen.

Mediation in the facility services sector labour dispute continues in the beginning of next week. PAM president Annika Rönni-Sällinen has a message for all facility services sector workers.

“The union is its members, and only together can we improve things. We are now taking care of the most vulnerable, so to say, and we need everyone involved. It’s time to make sure your co-worker is a union member.”

Keywords:

Membership

Guide to working life

Collective agreements

At the workplace