<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Decisions affecting Finland are increasingly made beyond our borders. Finland has been a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 1920 and, like other Nordic countries, has ratified several ILO conventions and recommendations. Finnish labour legislation has for decades been built on fundamental principles derived from ILO conventions, such as the principle of worker protection, freedom of association, and the right to collective bargaining. It is essential that ILO agreements continue to be respected in Finland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future of the European Union has a broad impact on Finnish society, working life, and the economy. From the employees\u2019 perspective, the EU plays a major role in developing labour and social rights and ensuring stability. Common minimum legislation creates an economically, socially, and ecologically fair framework for the internal market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
STTK engages in international cooperation, focusing primarily on European and regional advocacy, but also globally. International collaboration ensures greater influence on our key objectives. We promote workers\u2019 rights worldwide through the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and in Europe through the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The trade union movement plays a crucial role in advancing fundamental rights both globally and within the EU, including candidate countries. By influencing issues important to the employees in Europe, we also contribute to improving working life worldwide. A key part of STTK\u2019s international work is participating in the preparation of EU directives and agreements that concern working life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through international advocacy, we aim to develop EU-level minimum standards for working life, improve social dialogue between labour market parties at the EU level, and strengthen trade unions\u2019 abilities to act as defenders of workers\u2019 rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Labour legislation is prepared through tripartite cooperation, which means that employee and employer organizations and the government are involved. In addition to labour laws, collective agreements in various sectors define employees\u2019 working conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Orpo government has introduced several changes to labour legislation that weaken employees\u2019 position in relation to the employers. STTK has highlighted that tripartite law-making has not been implemented fairly during these reforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Strong and stable universality and the collective agreement system are cornerstones of the Finnish contractual society. Collective agreements are essential for wage development, they reduce income disparities, and prevent wage dumping. They safeguard minimum conditions for employees and allow for better terms to be agreed locally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A collective agreement is an agreement between trade unions and an employer or employer association on working conditions for a specific sector or employer. It defines for example wages and working hours. Agreement periods usually last 1\u20133 years and are determined during negotiations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
STTK member unions negotiate sector-wide and company-specific collective agreements. These agreements are an effective way to improve working life, for example, in terms of equality and non-discrimination. Developing pay systems based on job demands and performance is one way to reduce the gender pay gap. Agreements can also include solutions that support a more balanced distribution of care responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Local bargaining has been a topic of discussion in the labour market for years, and employers in particular want to increase it. Local agreements are already common, and depending on the collective agreement, many issues\u2014such as working hours\u2014can be negotiated locally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Successful local bargaining requires mutual trust and, above all, competence. Both parties must agree on the necessity of the agreement, and no pressure should be involved in making it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shop stewards play a key role in local agreements. Trade unions negotiating collective agreements have detailed knowledge of their application, which they share with shop stewards through training. Shop steward training is comprehensive and provides skills for both interpreting agreement provisions and participating in negotiations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
STTK supports promoting local bargaining through collective agreements. Increasing local bargaining requires strengthening shop the stewards\u2019 negotiating position and resources to ensure balanced negotiations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n