32
Emp l oymen t I s s ue s
4.4. Trade Unions (fackföreningar/am-
mattiliitot)
An important function of Finnish trade unions
is to run unemployment funds and to provide
earnings-related unemployment benefits.
These are typically much higher than the basic
unemployment allowance provided by Kela/Fpa.
Most unions provide legal advice on employment
issues for their members.
Finnish unions are occupation-based. There
are three main levels: Local trade unions,
national federations of local trade unions, and
confederations. Collective agreements covering
the whole workforce are concluded between the
federations.
Labour market organisations have a great deal
of influence. Negotiations on salaries, wages
and labour legislation are conducted between
the government and the representatives of
employees' and employers' organisations, which is
referred to as the tripartite system.
At least the following unions are represented or a
have local unions in ÅAU:
The Association of Finnish University and
Research Establishment Staff (
Universitetens
och forskningsektorns personalförbund YHL ry/
Yliopistojen ja tutkimusalan henkilöstöliitto
)
The Finnish Union of University Professors
(FUUP) (
Professorsförbundet/Professoriliitto
)
A k a d em i s k a
I n f o rma t i o n s s p e c i a l i s t e r /
I n f o rma a t i o a l a n
A k a t e em i s e t
(in Finnish/
Swedish only)
The Finnish Union of University Lecturers
(
Förbundet för under vi sningssektorn vid
universiteten/Yliopiston opetusalan liitto
)
Finnish Union of University Researchers and
Teachers (
Förskarförbundet/Tieteentekijöiden liitto
)
Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland
(
Tekn i kens Akademi ke r förbund/Tekn i i kan
Akateemiset
)
Laborator ie - och över ingenjörerna vid
Universiteten r.f. / Laboratory and head engineers
at the University (ULI)
Trade Union of Educat ion in Finland,
(
Under v i sningssektorns fackorgani sat ion/
Opetusalan ammattijärjestö OAJ)
.
