# [Why should I join a trade union?](https://proliitto.fi/index%2ephp/index%252ephp/en/why-should-I-join-a-trade-union) ## Working life is a team effort, not a solo act Whether its about collective agreements, wage issues or career services, Trade Union Pro is on your side. The world of work changed, too. Alongside working conditions and working hours, new issues have risen: artificial intelligence, skills development, equality, fragmentation, job satisfaction and career paths – finding your own thing. Moreover, the issues of our time are increasingly being addressed at international tables. The dynamics of influence are like laws of nature: few will do better alone now or in the future. More than anything, Pro is about what we achieve when we trust that there is a strength of numbers and build solutions for all rather than the few. Because when we are many, working life is better. When we are many, no one is left alone. [Join now](https://lomakkeet.proliitto.fi/en/) Pro's members are educated professionals, experts and managers in a wide array of sectors You can join Pro regardless of your education, title or the quality of your employment. Pro's membership includes earnings-related unemployment insurance, which means that you join the Unemployment Fund Pro at the same time. There is no minimum age for membership, but you are entitled to unemployment insurance at the age of 18. When you become a Pro member, you also join the association. You can choose the association's joining form from the list. You can also leave the field blank, then we will choose an association for you based on your employer or place of residence. [Join now](https://lomakkeet.proliitto.fi/en/) Trade Union Pro is there for in all things work Trade Union Pro is a collective force and force in working life. The membership fee of Trade Union Pro is 1.25 percent of your earned gross income and a maximum of 49 EUR per month. The fee includes the membership fee of Pro’s Unemployment Fund. [Join now](https://lomakkeet.proliitto.fi/en) ## 8 reasons to become a member The union is an employee safety net that takes care of your rights and helps you succeed in your career. At Pro, we want you to earn and do well. Your opportunities for employment and development are our main concerns, but in addition to collective agreements, we negotiate benefits that will benefit you at work and in your free time. ### Experts by your side Your closest professional contact is your workplace shop steward or occupational health and safety representative. Pro's experts and lawyers advise, negotiate, agree and ultimately defend you even in court. Legal assistance is free of charge and risk-free for you. [Read more](/index%2ephp/en/for-members/support-at-work) ### Legal advice You can also get free telephone advice on legal issues related to private life or self-employment. Of course, workplace matters are also taken care of, our experts and lawyers ensure that your working conditions are fair and in accordance with the contracts. [Read more](/index%2ephp/en/for-members/legal-counselling) ### Unemployed? We'll help As a member, you also belong to Unemployment Fund Pro, and you get earnings-related unemployment insurance if its conditions are met. According to research, the processing times of Unemployment Insurance Fund Pro are the fastest in Finland. So if you become unemployed, your back is protected. [Read more](/index%2ephp/en/for-members/unemployment-security) ### Career counselling Pro member, it's easier for you to advance in your career. You get concrete advice from a personal career coach! You are successful, you know how to show off your skills and you are prepared for unexpected changes. When you recognize your competence, you can convince others of it more easily. [Read more](/index%2ephp/en/for-members/career-counselling) ### Unwind on holidays As a Pro member, you can book vacations at an affordable discount price in both hotel and holiday apartment accommodation. Destinations can be found in Finland, Sweden and Spain, from Saariselka to Calahonda. [Read more](/index%2ephp/en/for-members/holidays-and-accommodations) ### Be safe The passenger and leisure accident insurance included in the membership is valid all over the world and covers your children and grandchildren who are traveling with you under the age of 20. [Read more](/index%2ephp/en/for-members/insurances) ### Be well We want you to be well, lead a balanced life and be happy. That's why, as a member, you can talk to a mental or physical well-being specialist free of charge. Also videos, webinars and the some community where you can get information, tips and inspiration. [Read more](/index%2ephp/en/well-being-and-health) ### Enjoy your free time As a member, you can also enjoy changing leisure benefits. There are benefits for every departure, for example wellness, restaurants and experiences. [Read more](/index%2ephp/en/for-members/variable-leisure-benefits) ### Become a member Become a Pro member today and take advantage of all our membership benefits. You can join us regardless of your education, title or the quality of your employment. [Join now](https://lomakkeet.proliitto.fi/) ## Union membership or mere unemployment fund? Joining an unemployment fund instead of a trade union may sound appealing. However, an unemployment fund is not an inexpensive version of a trade union, as they do not negotiate the terms of your work and salary level or represent you in any way. Unemployment funds have different tasks than trade unions. They take care only for unemployment security and unlike trade unions, they do not help you if there are conflicts or problems at your workplace. In addition, they do not provide advice on matters related to your employment or promote the interest of employees in collective bargaining. More members a union has, the stronger it is when negotiating collective agreements and more pressure there is for the employer to respect the agreements. According to our research, high rate of unionized employees also means higher salaries. If, for instance, the amount of employees belonging to Trade Union Pro rises from 15 to 20 percent to at least 75 percent, salaries raise for approximately 5 per cent. Trade Union Pro Unemploymentfund Earnings-related unemployment securityYes Yes TrainingsYes Yes Career counsellingYes Yes Collective bargainingYes No Legal adviceYes No Legal representationYes No Local union representatives at your workplaceYes No Holiday and other member benefitsYes No ## "Pro is right for me" ### The amount of work grew, my salary didn't When I started working in a new field, the employer was happy to add new responsibilities to me. The new position and new duties excited me, but I was not aware of my salary level. I received salary statistics from the union and help to support the salary negotiation. With the help of the union, I was able to negotiate a better salary for myself, which corresponded to my tasks and skills. I have the feeling that I am not alone in the vicissitudes of working life. \- Juuso, 33 years old, finance industry ### I want someone to stand up for me I belong to a trade union because I don't have the time or know-how to find out everything myself. It's a relief when I know that there is a union that supports me in working life, that I can ask for advice from and that is always on my side. I am happy that the union is negotiating a collective agreement on my behalf, and I know that when as many colleagues as possible belong to the union, we will be listened to. \- Satu, 45 years old, chemical industry ### I was lost I returned to work from maternity leave and felt like I couldn't find a direction in my career. I struggled with my professional identity and ended up browsing the association's pages. I hadn't realized before how much training and support Pro offers. The union's career counseling helped me update my CV and think about my professional self and the directions I am looking for in my career. With the support offered by the union, I got important tools for thinking about my future. Now I know where I can get support in my career and I look forward to what the future will bring. \- Sanna, 31 years old, finance industry ## What is a collective agreement and why it matters so much? - A collective agreement is an agreement entered between a trade union and employer union concerning the terms of employments followed in the field. Collective agreements determine, for instance, minimum salaries, working time as well as various wage supplements and bonuses. Trade unions negotiate collective agreements and monitor the terms of employment. Building a collective agreement starts already at individual workplaces, where union members have a say in what should be included in the agreement. When a sufficient number of employees belong to a union, it is able to negotiate a fair deal and decent salaries for everyone. Even though Finnish law has provisions concerning terms and conditions of employment, collective agreements guarantee significantly more extensive security and higher benefits than what the law says. For example, in Finland the minimum salary is not determined by the law, but rather by collective agreements. If there is no collective agreement, the employer can dictate the level of salaries they are paying to their employees. This might not be in the best interest of those receiving the salary. Collective agreements determine also wage supplements and holiday bonuses as well as a longer paid sick leave than what is determined by the Finnish law. In addition, collective agreements guarantee 3 months of paid maternity leave and allowances for work-related travel, none of which is mentioned in the Finnish law. There are plenty of other examples. Whereas the law often deals with general issues, every industry has their own collective agreement, which allows them to pay attention to the specific features and needs of a given industry. When thousands of professionals belong to a trade union, the union has significantly more power to negotiate than an individual employee. Would you have the know-how and courage to negotiate your own terms of employment? [Get to know Pro's collective agreements](/index%2ephp/fi/tyo-ja-virkaehtosopimukset#df633b13) Union membership turns into a 5 % increase in salary The more people in the industry belong to a trade union, the more important the union's position is, for example, in collective bargaining negotiations, and the more strictly employers must adhere to agreements. According to our research, belonging to a union brings employees more pay: when, for example, the number of people belonging to Ammatiliitto Pro increases from 15-20 percent to at least 75 percent in the workplace, the employees' salary increases by an average of five percent. So you get the best security, support and benefits by belonging to a trade union, whose membership also includes membership of the unemployment fund. According to Pro's research, belonging to a union can bring up to 5% more salary. When we are many, our words carry weight. [Get to know our research](https://www.proliitto.fi/tutkimus)