Unionizing

Members receive benefits and services in return to the payed dues. Trade unions are are organized into three trade union confederations. The trade union confederation for those with high-level education is Akava, the Confederation of Unions of Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland. Akava has 36 affiliates and about 613 000 unionised members. The members do not join Akava directly, instead they join one of Akava’s affiliates based on field of study, degree, profession or position. Akava has also more than 100 000 student members.

YTN (the Federation of Professional and Managerial Staff) is Akava’s private sector negotiations organisation in charge of negotiations and agreement operations for senior salaried employees in industry, business and service sectors.

Trade unions provide assistence in different issues and questions in working life. For example salary claims and legal means, career coaching, networking etc. You may also belong to the union’s unemployment fund. As a member you are entitled to receive a higher daily unemployment allowance.