PAM part of collective bargaining coordination with SAK-affiliated unions

The words “collaboration” and “trust” were frequently mentioned at the joint meeting for SAK-affiliated unions’ leadership held Friday, 4 October 2024, in Helsinki. PAM’s board attended the meeting.

The goal of the day was to strengthen coordination for the union-specific collective agreement negotiations that have already started. Along with PAM, other unions committed to this SAK coordination include the Industrial Union, welfare sector union JHL, Construction Trade Union, Transport Workers’ Union AKT, the Electrical Workers’ Union, and Food Workers’ Union SEL.

Johanna Buska, a PAM board member, supports joint coordination, even though each union negotiates independently.

— Collective power is important. After the Serious Painava Syy and WageUnionPalkkaliitto campaigns, members are asking if there will be more joint efforts. Coordination is a great initiative and a natural continuation of our joint actions in recent years, Buska says.

Promoting workers’ interests is a shared responsibility

PAM President, Annika Rönni-Sällinen, also emphasised the strength that comes from working together. She reminded everyone that the main goal of cooperation is to defend members’ rights.

— Inflation hasn’t affected all Finns equally. Low-income earners have lost more, and cuts to housing support and unemployment benefits have hit them hard. This, along with SAK unions’ long tradition of solidarity in wage policies, is a strong reason for private sector service workers to participate in coordination, says Rönni-Sällinen, chair of the Service Union United (PAM).

— There have been claims in public that this is “revenge” following actions by the Orpo-Purra government. This isn’t about that—it’s about advocating for union members’ interests.

Rönni-Sällinen is pleased with how the coordination is progressing.

— I have helped develop several coordination models, and now we are in the best situation I’ve seen so far. We are heading forward together to achieve better results, she told the nearly 200 people in attendance.

SAK President Jarkko Eloranta pointed out that working together doesn’t take anything away from anyone; in fact, collective action means that everyone gains more.

— We’ve made progress in joint preparation. Each union has its own goals, but we share the common aim of advancing the interests of Finnish workers, said Eloranta.

Negotiations and union membership—start conversations at workplaces

The first negotiations for PAM’s major sectors will cover the commerce sector. The current collective agreement for the commerce sector is valid until 31 January 2025. PAM Executive Committee members Lassi Rantanen and Piia Kyrö remind that every service sector worker can support the negotiations by recommending union membership and discussing both membership and negotiations with their colleagues.

— As AKT chair Ismo Kokko said, it’s okay to belong to a union! And it’s okay to ask your colleagues to join the union too, summarised Rantanen what she’d heard.

— We also use the slogan Better together (Yhdessä parempaa ) in PAM, so there really is strength in numbers, Kyrö adds.

The changing labour market environment increases the need for coordination
Collective agreement coordination at SAK is led by Head of Labour Market Affairs Jaana Ylitalo, who joined SAK from her role as PAM’s Collective Bargaining Director. Ylitalo explained the preparation of common goals and coordination, as well as future plans. Trust plays a key role in deepening cooperation and ensuring that information flows between unions.

— Coordination is built on five factors: discussion, understanding, trust, commitment, and action, Ylitalo listed at the end of her speech.

Ylitalo reminded everyone that the labour market environment has changed significantly in recent years, increasing the need for joint coordination.

Text and pictures: Pauli Unkuri