SAK put a tough salary target on the table – The active employees are even ready to go on strike

Good starting point. This is how you can summarize the thoughts of the active employees interviewed by HS about the joint demand for a 10 percent wage increase for two years announced by SAK, the central organization of Finnish trade unions, on Wednesday.

The increase would be six percent in the first year and four percent in the second. Bringing a common demand to the public, especially when the negotiation round is at such an early stage, is exceptional.

Chairman of Helsinki’s overcrowded workers’ association Pasi Boehm says that the matter immediately sparked conversation at the workplace.

“For many years, very moderate salary solutions have been made. Yes, it has happened that the purchasing power of wage earners has decreased,” says Boehm.

Trustee of Kesko daily goods and joint operations Esa Lehtonen says that the increase target has aroused even a little disbelief among the employees.

“Of course, people hope to get the best possible raises. If you don’t ask for something, you won’t get anything. In itself, I think it was quite a good way out. Now even the employers understand that we really have to start negotiating about things.”

Manager of steel company SSAB’s Raahe plant. chief steward Jarkko Uusipulkamo again says that SAK’s announcement has not yet sparked much discussion at the workplace. He considers the goal to be good, but does not want to comment on its realism.

“It’s an interesting arrangement to go public with a goal. Apparently, the Swedish model is being sought here as well. It’s good to know what to look for. At least there is no need to speculate about what that realistic or good goal would be. It has now been presented and it is clear.”

Employee assets admit that negotiations often lead to some kind of compromise solution. However, according to them, the starting point for negotiations has now been set.

“That’s what we start with when the goals have been presented. The employer side has also presented its goals, and with the support of the government, they got them through. Wouldn’t it be quite a bit for the employee side to get something as well?” says Boehm of Helsinki’s overcrowded workers association.

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“This means that there will be strikes next spring.”

But are the workplaces already ready for possible industrial action to achieve the goal?

“Yes. Many people said on Thursday that this means that there will be strikes next spring. Let’s have a little spring break. Of course, preferably not [lakkoilla]. It’s always nicer when we reach solutions without strikes,” says Boehm.

On the other hand, Uusipulkamo of SSAB’s Raahe factory says that industrial action has not yet been thought about at the factory. He reminds that a strike is always a last resort.

“If nothing can be achieved by reasonable negotiation, then it is the last resort.”

Kesko Lehtonen states that strike readiness was last surveyed in the spring in connection with political strikes opposing the government’s actions, and then they were found.

“I believe that people are still ready to go on strike for better working conditions and earning opportunities.”