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Chemical and textile
workers unions merge

Helsinki (09.04.2002 - Juhani Artto) The Chemical Workers’ Union and the Textile and Garment Workers’ Union are to merge in spring 2004. A letter of intent concerning the merger was signed by the unions in March. This conclusion is based on a careful analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the merger strategy.

The main goal of the merger is to improve the effectiveness of work to safeguard workers’ interests and provide services to members.

The Chemical Workers’ Union currently has 34,600 members, 60 per cent of whom are men, while the Textile and Garment Workers’ Union has 16,300 members, 86 per cent of whom are women.

Global Positioning System (GPS) improves lumberjack safety in Lapland

Lumberjacks working for the forest industry giant Stora Enso in Lapland now enjoy additional occupational safety. The improvement is based on the Global Positioning System (GPS). When alone in the forest in an emergency situation, the lumberjack need only push the emergency button of his mobile telephone. This sends an alarm to the regional emergency centre. Using a satellite connection the GPS application eliminates all loss of time involved in searching for the accident victim.
- Source: Särmä 4-2002

The two organisations have many common features providing a solid basis for the merger. The Chemical Workers’ Union is a party to seven major national collective agreements, while the Textile and Garment Workers’ Union has two. All of these agreements will remain in force, as the organising fields of the two organisations do not overlap. The Chemical Workers’ Union represents workers in the chemical, petrochemical, rubber, pharmaceutical, glass and porcelain industries and the laundry workers.

Both unions have a sound financial position and a long tradition of providing broad educating for their activists and rank and file members. Both organisations elect their leaderships by democratic procedures, resulting in clear social-democratic majorities. Other elected members of the union management structure are either members or supporters of the Leftist Alliance.

The unemployment rate of the Chemical Workers’ Union rank and file is about ten per cent. The rate in the Textile and Garment Workers’ Union is about 20 per cent. Both rates are currently decreasing.

Jobs in the textile and garment industry have decreased dramatically since the 1970s. In the same way as for this industry in other Western European countries, the Finnish textile and garment sector could not respond effectively to the competition from low-pay economies. While several companies have survived by beginning to subcontract in low-pay countries, many others have simply ceased trading. In the first wave of job losses in the 1970s the target was Portugal. This was followed by the Far East and, since the early 1990s, Estonia and the neighbouring regions of Russia.

Last autumn and winter the Chemical Workers’ Union waged a high-profile campaign against the merger negotiated by the owners of the Finnish Kemira and the Swedish Dynea. Kemira is a listed company in which the Finnish State is principal owner. In a rare revolt, which was spearheaded by the Chemical Workers’ Union, the Finnish Parliament rejected the government's proposal for the merger.

Working in a shrinking industry, the Textile and Garment Workers’ Union has had a lower profile than the Chemical Workers' Union in recent years, but this difference seems to constitute no impediment to the eventual merger planned for spring 2004.

 
Other sites on economy and working life:

viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Everything at stake - safeguarding interests in a world without frontiers
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Statistics Finland
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Occupational safety and health in Finland, Socius 2-2001 (pdf-file)
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes)
Documents of the SAK 16th Congress 28-30.5.2001
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Ten years of working conditions in the European Union, Eurofound's research summary (pdf-file)
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) In terms of real property, one Finland equals two Nokias, Helsingin Sanomat 08.01.2001
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) The growth of the Finnish economy did not eradicate unemployment, Helsingin Sanomat 03.01.2001
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Only one Finn in nine actually retire as late as 65, Helsingin Sanomat 02.01.2001
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Incomes policy agreement approved; The incomes policy agreement in a nutshell;The economic backgrounf of the incomes policy agreement  SAK 15.12.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Collective bargaining in Finland 1999-2000, Pekka Sauramo, Labour Institute for Economic Research, Helsinki (pdf-file)
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Working environment greater cause of absenteeism than lifestyle Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 05.12.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) New job creation down 50 % this year Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 01.12.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Made in Hong Finland Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 28.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Bars and restaurants among Finland's most hazardous work places Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 27.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Finland faces labour shortage in all sectors in 2005 Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 23.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) New two-year incomes agreement announced Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 17.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Increased disparities in wealth distribution Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 09.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Floating shopping centers might become a thing of the past Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 24.10.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) SAK member unions vote to go with two-year wage deal Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 03.10.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) National Economy
and State Finances

Ministry of Finance
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Occupational Safety and Health Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Dispute highlights threats to Finnish seafarers' jobs eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Strikes break out as bargaining round nears conclusion eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) "Barometer" examines industrial relations in Baltic states eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Strike levels fall in 1999 eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Action programme launched to promote "ability to cope" at work eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) SAK computer campaign proves successful eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) European working time conference held in Helsinki
eironline

More on
and in Finland:

viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Etusivu - The Finnish Link Resource
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Helsinki Camera - Views over the city
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Virtual Finland - Information about Finland - Facts about Finland
provided by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs

viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Finland - World Fact Book entry - tons of links!
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Statistics Finland
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Helsingin Sanomat - International Edition - News from Finland
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Need a reliable lawyer - The Finnish Bar Association can help
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Moving to Finland? - Directorate of Immigration
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Ministry of Labour Migration affairs page
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) National Equal Opportunities Network - Fighting discrimination