Collective bargaining

Not all working conditions come from the law, but unions negotiate them in collective agreements. There are sector-specific differences in the contracts.

Collective agreements define the minimum working conditions for each industry - for example, salary increases, working hours, holiday pay and pay for sickness and parental leave.

You can find the negotiation situation in your field below.

A collective agreement is an agreement between a trade union and an employers’ association on minimum working conditions in the sector. The collective agreement, negotiated by trade union and employers’ association, defines the minimum terms and conditions of employment for employees in the sector. These include matters such as minimum pay, working hours and fringe benefits. When a union has a sufficient number of members, it can negotiate fair terms, such as pay, for all.

Keeping up with the constantly changing working life may seem impossible at times. Luckily, you do not have to do this alone.

Together, as a collective force, we can build a working life that meets your demands. A working life that pays attention to your well-being, rights and compensates the work that you do.

When we are many,  working life is better. 

A trade union is a safety net for employees. It safeguards your rights and helps you to succeed in your career. Union membership includes also earnings-related unemployment security, which provides higher allowances than basic unemployment security, should you become unemployed.

More employees working in a given field join the union, the more bargaining power the union has for instance in collective agreement negotiations and more strictly must also the employers follow the agreements.