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SAK President Lauri Ihalainen: Trade union movement needs a European collective bargaining strategy Helsinki (08.07.2002 - Juhani Artto) The European trade union movement should have a European level collective bargaining strategy. This recent proposal was made by Lauri Ihalainen, President of SAK, the largest central trade union organisation in Finland. Ihalainen also presently leads the Council of Nordic Trade Unions. "The strategy would clarify the goals and division of labour in European level agreements made for individual industries and for several industries." Ihalainen considers that national agreements will continue to have the main role in the immediate future, and that European bargaining will supplement national bargaining. However, he envisages that cross-border bargaining will undoubtedly increase. Progress will be made especially within multinational enterprises to unify the principles of their staff and salary policies. Common recommendations and positions by European level labour market organisations will also increase. The SAK leader sees no alternatives to co-ordinating EU Member State salary and collective bargaining policies. "The common currency has increased the need for dialogue on economic policy." Preparations for this have been going on since the late 1990s within EU policymaking. The employment agreement made by the European Council in summer 1999 gathers into a common consultation the Union's principal participants: the Council, the Commission, the European Central Bank and the European labour market organisations. Ihalainen stresses that the European employment strategy approved by the European Council obliges the Member States to allow for employment issues in their national policy. He emphasises the need to expand the same approach to the new Member States. EU enlargement will greatly increase the income and living standard gaps within our common European family, Ihalainen says. Narrowing these gaps will be possible only through general economic development and assistance from the EU. One form of such assistance could be EU-level framework regulations to enable and enhance collective bargaining in the new Member States. Lauri Ihalainen favours European level co-ordination of incomes policy and other economic policy goals to prevent unhealthy wage and salary and tax competition. An EU Member State databank on economic, labour market and pay development should be set up to support co-operation. |
Finnish
wages are lousy, Helsingin Sanomat 04.06.2002 Ten years of working conditions in the European Union, Eurofound's research summary (pdf-file) In terms of real property, one Finland equals two Nokias, Helsingin Sanomat 08.01.2001 The growth of the Finnish economy did not eradicate unemployment, Helsingin Sanomat 03.01.2001 Only one Finn in nine actually retire as late as 65, Helsingin Sanomat 02.01.2001 Incomes policy agreement approved; The incomes policy agreement in a nutshell;The economic backgrounf of the incomes policy agreement SAK 15.12.2000 Collective bargaining in Finland 1999-2000, Pekka Sauramo, Labour Institute for Economic Research, Helsinki (pdf-file) Working environment greater cause of absenteeism than lifestyle Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 05.12.2000 New job creation down 50 % this year Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 01.12.2000 Made in Hong Finland Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 28.11.2000 Bars and restaurants among Finland's most hazardous work places Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 27.11.2000 Finland faces labour shortage in all sectors in 2005 Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 23.11.2000 New two-year incomes agreement announced Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 17.11.2000 Increased disparities in wealth distribution Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 09.11.2000 Floating shopping centers might become a thing of the past Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 24.10.2000 SAK member unions vote to go with two-year wage deal Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 03.10.2000 National Economy and State Finances Ministry of Finance Occupational Safety and Health Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Dispute highlights threats to Finnish seafarers' jobs eironline Strikes break out as bargaining round nears conclusion eironline "Barometer" examines industrial relations in Baltic states eironline Strike levels fall in 1999 eironline Action programme launched to promote "ability to cope" at work eironline SAK computer campaign proves successful eironline European working time conference held in Helsinki eironline
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