The Employers get together with Technology Industries of
Finland
- ERTO increases co-operation with TU and Suora
In October 2006, Tietoalojen liitto (Federation of The Finnish Information Industries) that represents the employers, announced that from the beginning of November 2006 they will be part of Teknologiateollisuus (Technology Industries of Finland)
employer’s organisation. This was no surprise as they had already integrated in the private sector into one central organization, Elinkeinoelämän keskusliitto (Confederation of Finnish Industries EK).
The most significant employer of the Federation of The Finnish Information Industries is Nokia, and there the industry negotiation bodies Metalliliitto (The Finnish Metalworkers’ Union), Toimihenkilöunioni (Union of Salaried Employees TU) and YTN of
Akava (The Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland).
The integration resulted in a lot of discussion within ERTO and especially amongst the members of Tietoala. As well as opportunities, there are also threats.
One of the benefits is the fact that the employers will be in a better position to be able to participate in the ICT sector employment politics in Finland. That also opens up channels for ERTO , along with Tietoala, for communication with the employers in order to tackle the global challenges and to retain the ICT sector jobs in Finland by concentrating in skills development.
Threats may be seen in regards to the collective employment agreement, although Tietoalojen liitto has pledged to retain the Collective agreement for Information Technology Service Sector.
From time to time the employers have suggested ERTO to start negotiations also with AKAVA, in order to negotiate weaker contracts for so called upper white collar workers than others. YTN (Federation of Professional and Managerial Staff) has already compiled a Collective employment agreement specifically
for such employees. The threat is simply the fact that the contract is bad. It does not comply with the basic principles of the collective employment agreement, because it only states “will be agreed in the contract of employment" regarding working hours and wages. Furthermore, there have been public complaints concerning weak positions of AKAVA shop stewards.
ERTO Tietoala Agreement covers every type of employee and does not differentiate between people depending on their level of education or position. The nature of our sector is that all employees carry out expert professional duties. We do not see the need to have separate agreements for people who are educated to a higher level.
ERTO board decided to start investigations with TU and Trade Union Suora ry in order to increase cooperation. We see this also as an opportunity to work together in Collective labour agreement issues, especially with TU. As the employer’s union have pressurised us very strongly regarding this Collective labour
agreement matter, having partners has become even more important.
Tietoalat STTK (ICT Backup) arranged their own strategy day with the next round of negotiations in mind. We investigated strategies and views on the future of the ICT sector in Finland and found concrete target areas for co-operation, such as training and collective protection of interests. These plans may realise
sooner rather than later as the Collective labour agreement negotiations are getting closer.
Jouko Malinen