JHL (16.01.2015 - Heikki Jokinen) The New Year promises to be an eventful one. This is according to Jarkko Eloranta, chairperson of the Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL, who expects a big upheaval not only in the political arena, but also in the labour market and within the trade union movement. In certain respects we could be entering dangerous or unchartered waters, he adds.
Finland is about to see changes following parliamentary elections in April and the formation of a new government after the elections. Major reforms in the public sector and a new national wage agreement are expected.
The trade union movement is also beginning its own renewal by exploring the possibilities of forming a new comprehensive trade union confederation.
In November 2014 a meeting of 21 Finnish trade union leaders spoke of a goal to establish a new trade union confederation to replace the three existing ones. JHL supports the move, but there is still a long way to go. It also seems that there is no consensus to form only one confederation, but the number against may diminish from three to two.
”The trade union movement needs broader shoulders and a more united approach in safeguarding the interests of its members and influencing political decision making”, Eloranta says. ”For this reason we must develop our structures and ways of acting. Then we can do something we do not do now and make our actions more effective.”
However, the most crucial and central issue this year concerns the parliamentary elections followed by the negotiations which will determine the composition of government, Eloranta says. These will define the future of Finland and the role of wage and salary earners in it for the next four years.
”One means by which the trade union movement has sought to guarantee the voice of employees being heard in the government programme is to continue the national pact for employment and growth.” This was negotiated in October 2013 to cover almost all wages and salaries in the country. The two years pact includes an option to continue with it for a further year.
Eloranta believes that renewing the pact would bring stability to the labour market until the beginning of the year 2017. This would help the government and companies to have a clearer view on the economy and labour market.