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31.01.2025 16:46

We deserve an agreement for a better working life – PAM declares strikes in the commerce sector

Service Union United PAM is pushing for a solution in the collective agreement negotiations in the commerce sector by issuing strike warnings. The strikes will involve over 70,000 workers. 

Annika Rönni-Sällinen torilla mustassa PAM-paidassa.

PAM broke off negotiations with the Finnish Commerce Federation on Thursday, as no progress was made on the key objectives set by PAM. Today, PAM’s Executive Committee declared strikes in the commerce sector. At the same time, the Executive Committee decided on a ban on shift changes and transfers across the entire commerce sector, which will take effect on Monday, 3 February at 00:01. 

Over 70,000 workers in the commerce sector are part of PAM’s strikes. The strike covers a significant portion of logistics operations in the sector as well as retail stores. More than 3,000 workplaces and sites will be on strike. During the strike, no work covered by the collective agreements in the commerce sector will be performed at these locations. 

  • The strike in commerce sector logistics will begin on Monday, 17 February 2025 at 5:00 and end on Thursday, 20 February 2025 at 5:00. 
  • The strike in grocery stores will begin on Wednesday, 19 February 2025 at 5:00 and end on Saturday, 22 February 2025 at 5:00. 

The strikes will largely halt warehousing and logistics operations in the commerce sector, affecting, among other things, the delivery of goods to grocery stores and other businesses. The strikes affecting stores will impact shops selling daily consumer goods. 

The strike covers all K-Market, K-Supermarket, and K-Citymarket stores. Within the S Group, the strike includes all Alepa, Sale, S-Market, Prisma, and Sokos stores, as well as some ABC outlets. Additionally, all Lidl, Halpa-Halli, and Tokmanni stores across Finland are on strike. The strike also covers these companies’ office functions, administration, and customer service operations. 

“Our alternative would have been to reach an agreement” 

PAM’s president, Annika Rönni-Sällinen, considers the situation unfortunate. She had hoped that employers would show more willingness to improve working conditions in the commerce sector. 

— Workers in the sector deserve wages that are sufficient to live on, having been affected by price increases, cuts to social security, and tax hikes. Our alternative would have been to reach an agreement, but the employers refused to take that option, Rönni-Sällinen states. 

PAM’s demand is a 10% pay increase, with a minimum increase of €250 per month over two years. The Finnish Commerce Federation has responded with a proposal that is completely unacceptable and does nothing to bridge the gap in workers’ purchasing power. 

PAM has also brought other major issues to the negotiating table: improving the status of part-time workers, increasing full-time employment, ensuring current protections against dismissal, and reducing working hours for those working strenuous schedules. 

— This is not just about pay increases; it is about reforms that improve the balance between work and private life for workers in the service sector, Rönni-Sällinen explains. 

Since early January, PAM and the Finnish Commerce Federation have been negotiating wages and working conditions in the commerce sector. PAM’s goal is to reach an agreement, but the employers’ unwillingness to negotiate on key issues prevents this from happening. 

— It seems that the employers are playing hide and seek, waiting for a solution in the technology industry. That sector has been without an agreement since early December. This is unfair to workers, Rönni-Sällinen states. 

Industrial action also in the ski centre sector 

The collective agreement for ski centres between PAM and the Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa also expires today, 31 January. PAM’s Executive Committee has declared a ban on overtime and shift changes across the entire sector, starting on Monday, 3 February 2025. 

More information on the strike and affected workplaces can be found at pam.fi/strikes 

Collective bargaining 2024-2025

In collective bargaining, PAM and the employers’ associations negotiate collective agreements with pay rises and other terms of employment for all workers in private service sectors.

Follow the negotiations at
pam.fi/collective-bargaining

Keywords:

collective bargaining commerce sector

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