Negotiations on Wolt couriers’ working conditions stalled – PAM demands genuine improvements to couriers’ livelihoods

– We cannot accept a bad agreement. The fee level must be such that one can make a living with a normal workload, says Papy Nkunda, Chair of PAM Couriers Finland, the union branch for couriers.

There is still hope for food couriers that a fair agreement could be reached. The current situation, in which Wolt can unilaterally weaken working conditions, is unsustainable for couriers.

As self-employed workers, couriers lack employment security and other employee rights. Moreover, they bear all the risks and costs of entrepreneurship, but this is not reflected in their compensation level.

– We have discussed many aspects in the negotiations, but on the most essential issue for couriers – compensation – there has not been sufficient progress, says PAM’s Collective Bargaining Specialist Anu Kähkönen.

– The challenges couriers face in making a living and their overall situation are widely known. Wolt now has an opportunity to prove itself a responsible operator, Kähkönen adds.

PAM’s Collective Bargaining Manager Juha Ojala stresses the need for significant improvements in couriers’ current situation.

– A small increase to the current compensation level is simply not enough; in Finland everyone must be able to truly make a living from their work.

– These have been some of the most challenging negotiations of my career. Couriers’ livelihoods are so precarious, and their position so insecure, that we haven’t seen anything like this in Finland for some time. The government’s plan to permit alcohol home deliveries only increases the risks couriers face, Ojala adds.

Background

Two years ago, Wolt unilaterally changed the compensation model for Wolt couriers, which significantly reduced couriers’ earnings. Couriers in Jyväskylä made a racket and organised strikes across Finland. In April 2023, food couriers established the national PAM Couriers Finland union branch and joined PAM.

Since December 2023, PAM and Wolt have been negotiating couriers’ working conditions. Talks with Wolt have been ongoing since then, with the parties meeting in various configurations over dozens of sessions.