JHL (19.11.2013 - Heikki Jokinen) The JHL Union Council is pressing for a loosening of the austerity policy. According to the Council, the widely endorsed Pact for Employment and Growth brings stability and predictability in the Finnish economy and labour market.
The realisation of the pact should be hailed as a success and sign of mutual respect that is worth fostering. This mutual understanding and agreement shall not be eroded. The employees were very modest in their demands and in some cases had to endure a reduction in benefits or agree to pay-cuts.
Notwithstanding these sacrifices, temporary lay-offs and redundancies are increasing in the public sector. These measures and cutting back on services and outsourcing do not bring sustainable development. The end result is only more problems.
The JHL Council demands company executives and owners to adopt the same moderate attitude as shown by employees in these difficult times. A pay freeze for executives and moderate dividend pay outs would serve to build up mutual trust and respect. State-owned companies must show a good example.
The JHL Council met in Vantaa 13-14 November. The 120-member Council is JHL's supreme policymaking body. The Council members represent various sectors from JHL’s field. The municipal sector has 81 seats, the private sector 33 seats, the state sector 5 seats and the church sector one seat.
The JHL plan of action for the year 2014 focuses on safeguarding members' interests with special attention to the union’s activities in the office, administration and IT branch as well as the cleaning branch. In 2014, a three year project will be initiated to strengthen the activities, organising and visibility of the Union at local level.
The Council also decided to keep the membership fees at the same level as before. Union members pay 1.05 % fee of their gross income to the Union and 0.28 % towards the JHL Unemployment Fund. Self-employed pay 20 euros a month and the minimum membership fee will remain at five euros. All Union fees are tax-deductible.