On Tuesday, April 22nd, the employee side issued a strike warning for a one-day strike at the Tampere University on May 7th. This was done to expedite the stalled collective agreement negotiations. Upon hearing this, the university employer announced massive countermeasures.
Firstly, the employer announced the indefinite suspension of the employer’s collection of union membership fees starting May 1st. The employer’s collection is a fully automated and functional process done in conjunction with payroll. Its suspension weakens the operational capabilities of the trade union movement. Secondly, the employer announced that it would prevent shop stewards from participating in trainings with pay starting April 28th.
Compared to the threat of a one-day strike, the employer’s countermeasures are aggressive. They begin even before the potential strike and are, in that sense, independent industrial actions.
I simply cannot avoid reflecting on the employer’s actions in light of the current government’s turmoil. Weakening the operational capabilities of the trade union movement has been the most important “unwritten” goal of Orpo’s government.
First, political strikes were banned. After this, the employer side, with the government’s assistance, began to enshrine its benefits into legislation instead of negotiating with the employee side. Most recently, in the mid-term review, the tax deduction right for union membership fees was removed. Such actions aim to weaken the operational capabilities of the trade union movement. Whose or what interests are being served by this?
Finland is a society of moderate political competition, where various corporations play – and have played – an important role in creating wealth and stability. An example is the organised employee and employer movements, which have agreed on the terms and salaries of the Finnish labour market. The trade union movement is not part of the problem in our contract and welfare society; it is part of the solution.
The current government’s fuss seems to be based on a very different way of thinking. I disagree. Society, let alone collective agreements, should not be built with hard measures.
Antti Pajala
Chief Shop Steward of JUKO at the University of Turku
Chairman of the Union of Research Professionals
