Home » What are trade unions What is a trade union? A trade union is an organization made up of workers who aim to improve working conditions. The majority of workers in Finland are union members. Get to know the benefits of union membership and which union to join. What does a trade union do? A trade union negotiates with employers to secure better working conditions and wages for workers. It offers support if you have problems at work, like disputes with your employer. Unions also advocate for workers’ needs in society, influencing decisions that impact their members’ daily lives and incomes. Why join PAM? PAM is the trade union for workers in the private service sector, such as sales assistants and warehouse workers, workers in hotels, restaurants and tourist services, cleaners, and security guards. It’s Finland’s second-largest union. Benefits of joining PAM: You become part of a large group that makes workers’ rights better together. You strengthen the position of workers in negotiations over wages and working conditions. You get help if you encounter problems at work. We are experts on the working conditions, laws, and agreements in the service sectors. PAM provides excellent legal aid to members. As a union member, you’re also a member of the PAM unemployment fund, which pays earnings-related benefits if you lose your job or are laid off. You get access to career services, trainings, and events for free. Read more about member services and benefits Which union should you join? You should join a union that represents your profession and negotiates the work conditions at your workplace. For example, service professionals join PAM, electricians join the Electrical Workers’ Union, bakers join the Food Workers’ Union, and doctors join the Medical Association. Here’s how you know you should join PAM You work in the private service sector. PAM is the union for commerce sector workers like sales assistants and warehouse workers, workers and supervisors in tourism and restaurants industry, cleaners, security guards, and other service professionals working for private service sector companies. (If you are employed by public sector as a service professional, you likely belong to the public sector union JHL.) PAM negotiates your collective agreement. You get the best advice and help in from the union for your industry if you face any issues at work. The union that negotiates your collective agreement knows exactly what’s been agreed upon in the collective agreement and what the terms mean. By joining, you can also influence collective bargaining List of PAM’s collective agreements Four ways to find out which union to join 1. Ask the union representative at your workplace. 2. Check your employment contract to see which collective agreement is applied to your work, then find out which union negotiated it. 3. Use the SAK’s search tool at liitot.fi/en 4. Call SAK’s helpline at 0800 179 279 (weekdays 9 am–3 pm). Can you belong to two unions? Yes, you can be a member of more than one union, but you can only belong to one unemployment fund at a time. For example, if you work part-time in the service industry and study another field, you might be a student member of the union for your field of study. However, your main union and unemployment fund membership should be with the field in which you work, as that union understands your work conditions and can provide the necessary support. Also, student membership does not include legal aid if there’s a problem. Switching unions If you change careers, it’s a good idea to switch to the union in your new industry. When you join a new union, include information about your previous union or unemployment fund membership and authorize the new union to handle the transition. Will my unemployment benefits continue if I switch unions? It’s safe to switch from another union or unemployment fund to PAM, as long as there isn’t a break between the memberships. Then your right to unemployment benefits remains intact. If you’ve already left your previous union or fund, make sure to join PAM within 30 days to maintain your work requirements and eligibility for earnings-related allowance. Also, make sure your previous union and unemployment fund fees are paid in full until the day of your switch. What’s the difference between a trade union and YTK? YTK is not a trade union, only an unemployment fund. PAM is a trade union where membership includes membership in PAM Unemployment Fund. UnionYTKNegotiates collective agreement and wage increases+–Has the right to interpret collective agreement+–Knows the specific conditions, practices, and agreements of your field+–Established by workers+–Established by employers–+ Become a member PAM is your union if you work in the private service sector as a salesperson, cleaner, waiter, cook, security guard or caretaker, for example. We negotiate the terms and conditions of your job. Read more and join
