The collec­tive message is clear: More courses in English are wanted

A lecture in the Latomo class­room at Murikka Insti­tute has caught the atten­tion of the group of Industrial Union members of foreign background. Many lean forward as hands shoot upward every so often to ask questions and clari­fica­tions. Course instructor Arto Helenius steers the conver­sa­tion towards current labour politics just before the after­noon coffee break. The recap of the changes made by the Orpo-Purra govern­ment even manages to elicit a few laughs by their sheer absurdity.

Union News – training for foreign language members is the latest addition to the growing number of Industrial Union courses aimed towards members of foreign background. Most of the atten­dees have partici­pated in Industrial Union courses before, but Frank Oghene­runo Akpedeye is one of the newco­mers. Akpedeye works as a support operator at Teleste Infor­ma­tion Solutions in Forssa and has just recently become interested in union activi­ties. After moving to Finland in 2010 as a student, Akpedeye has graduated as a Bachelor of Enginee­ring in supply chain manage­ment from Häme Univer­sity of Applied Sciences (HAMK) and as a Master of Enginee­ring in project manage­ment at Vaasa Univer­sity of Applied Sciences (VAMK).

“It’s nice to be here to get more insight on union matters and to meet new people. Generally, it is a good idea to know what the union is about,” Akpedeye says.

A WARM WELCOME

Vladimir Batrakov and Sergei Unukainen both joined the union almost immedia­tely after moving to Finland and getting a job. The Estonian duo has partici­pated in union courses several times together.

“The course has had interes­ting and impor­tant lessons. The best aspects of this course are the theme of history and unions and the people I get to study with, which makes the group work that much better,” says Unukainen.

“The best parts are gaining new knowledge and infor­ma­tion, getting help and meeting new people. I partici­pated in an Industrial Union Youth Event some while back and I was the only foreigner there. But everyone was so warm and welco­ming. Some common games and activi­ties were in English just because of one guy who didn’t speak that much Finnish, it was heartwar­ming,” Batrakov recounts.

“That’s the power of integra­tion,” Akpedeye adds.

Labour rights and union matters haven’t really come up as topics between their respec­tive workplaces, but Unukainen takes the time to praise his “opposi­tion.”

“My job at Aurajoki Oy is nice. My boss is unders­tan­ding and accepts me leaving for courses with no problems. He unders­tands our right to strike, and I sometimes think he should be on the other side of the fence,” Unukainen laughs.

ESSENTIAL IN ORGANISING

The subject matters of the Union News course consist of infor­ma­tion and news about the union. The focus was on the birth and history of the unions in addition to current topics like the current political landscape, as requested by atten­dees from the previous Rules of working life course.

“The goal for Union News is to have a yearly course with diffe­rent subject matters to keep up with the demand for more,” the Industrial Union bargai­ning specia­list Martti Paavi­lainen says.

The need for more courses has been the collec­tive message from the participants.

Paavi­lainen was part of the team that put the course together and gave a lecture about the history of the Finnish trade union movement. Other major topics of the course included company-specific collec­tive agree­ment negotia­tions in Finland and Finnish labour market model in light of recent changes.

“It’s impor­tant to have training that can reach our members in a language they unders­tand. It brings our foreign members together and tells them they are not alone, giving them the courage to become more active. In short, courses aimed towards members of foreign background are essen­tial in organi­sing,” Paavi­lainen says.

MORE COURSES AND MORE INTEGRATION

The training for the day is about to hit the final stretch. Facili­ta­tors Deniz Kazar and Henri von Adlerk­rone guide the class on works­hop­ping marke­ting for the Teolli­suus­liiton Hermes ‑applica­tion. The three-day course will conclude the next morning with the presen­ta­tion of group works that have been worked on for the duration of the course. Before hurrying back to the class­room Akpedeye, Batrakov and Unukainen share nearly the same senti­ment: we want more.

“I’d like to partici­pate in English courses for shop stewards. In general, I’d like to partici­pate in more courses in English. There are courses in Finnish every week, but seldomly in English,” Unukainen says.

“There should also be more campaig­ning for the existing courses, so that more members would become aware of the oppor­tu­nity and would partici­pate,” Akpedeye says in turn.

Generally, it is a good idea to know what the union is about.

The demand for more has not gone unnoticed.

“The need for more courses has been the collec­tive message from the partici­pants. We need to listen to the insights of our growing number of members of foreign background. This year, we have arranged the basic show steward course in English for the first time. We’re hoping that the Union News course will become a recur­ring fixture. These courses are also impor­tant for us, as we get infor­ma­tion and insights from our members that we can then pass forward,” Paavi­lainen states.

“A course about union benefits and how to use them would be useful. I also think that a mixed course between native Finnish workers and those of foreign background would be a good experience. It could be great for integra­tion, a chance to get to know each other better and gain a better unders­tan­ding of our diffe­rent cultures,” Batrakov adds.

Read the article in Finnish!