“The future is in our hands” – Union Envoys are sprea­ding the union’s message

 WHAT IS THIS ABOUT

• The Industrial Union is using its Union Envoys to reach out to emplo­yees with a foreign background so that as many of them as possible would join the union.
• A Union Envoy can be any member of the Industrial Union who has an interest in the activi­ties. Union Envoys receive assis­tance from the union and can plan the content of the activi­ties themselves.
• Michał Kulka-Kowalczyk, who moved to Finland from Poland, became a Union Envoy because he believes it is worthw­hile for members to take respon­si­bi­lity, spread the union’s message and recruit new members.

The Industrial Union has launched a Union Envoy program aimed at defen­ding the rights of foreign workers, raising aware­ness of Finnish working life and increa­sing the degree of unionisation.

“Trade union members should take respon­si­bi­lity, spread the union’s word and recruit new members,” says Michał Kulka-Kowalczyk, a Turku-based Industrial Union member.

He was one of the first ones to join the Industrial Union’s network of Union Envoys at the end of 2025.

“It can be difficult for an immigrant to find infor­ma­tion. Trade union membership is not the first thing that immigrants hear about,” says Kulka-Kowalczyk.

For me, union membership has been part of my integra­tion into Finland.

He joined the Industrial Union on his own initia­tive more than two years ago. The courses attended and the new relations­hips formed at the Murikka Insti­tute in Tampere have been the best part of being a union member.

“For me, union membership has been part of my integra­tion into Finland.

Kulka-Kowalczyk and his family moved from Poland to Finland in late 2021. He has worked for more than four years in newspaper delivery at Lounais-Suomen Tieto­ja­kelu Oy. Recently, he was elected as deputy occupa­tional safety repre­sen­ta­tive at his workplace.

“I’ve been trying to be a Union Envoy even before any the Union Envoy program existed. I’veve tried to convince my close friends and collea­gues to join the union. I’ve also posted in in Facebook groups for immigrants,” says Kulka-Kowalczyk.

TOGETHER AGAINST EXPLOITATION

Emplo­yees from foreign backgrounds come from diffe­rent socie­ties and cultures. Not everyone is familiar with the concept of Finnish trade unions and their tasks.

“Many people think they are members of a trade union when they are only members of an unemplo­y­ment fund. It is impor­tant to talk about their diffe­rences and why it is worth joining a union.

Trade unions have a lot to do to prevent labour exploi­ta­tion. Emplo­yees with a foreign background are at greater risk of exploi­ta­tion than other employees.

Kulka-Kowalczyk says he has not perso­nally experienced work-related abuse, but the pheno­menon affects all employees.

“Exploi­ta­tion of emplo­yees with a foreign background affects the entire labour market and can under­mine the position of all workers.

The union helps its members in difficult times, but the union is more than an insurance company,” Kulka-Kowalczyk emphasises.

“A trade union is not just for situa­tions invol­ving problems. A broader perspec­tive is also impor­tant: together, emplo­yees are stronger and have a better bargai­ning position.

EVERYONE CAN PARTICIPATE

As a Union Envoy, Kulka-Kowalczyk will continue to share infor­ma­tion and recruit new members. He also intends to help, for example, by reviewing texts trans­lated into Polish.

He argues that everyone can work to strengthen the trade union movement.

“Action does not always have to be organised. It could be a chat in a bar or presen­ting a demo of the Teolli­suus­liiton Hermes app.

Union Envoy activi­ties are still in their early stages, but the poten­tial is huge.

“The future is in our hands”. Hopefully, we will be joined by more people who want to participate.

ACTIVITIES ARE PLANNED TOGETHER

“The idea of Union Envoys is based on the reality that emplo­yees with foreign backgrounds have a much lower degree of unioni­sa­tion than native Finns,” says Deniz Kacar, anemplo­y­ment condi­tions specia­list at the Industrial Union’s Foreign Labour Unit.

Trade unions have struggled to reach emplo­yees with foreign backgrounds, due to gaps in language skills, networks and cultural competence.

“We thought it would be a sensible idea to ask for help from members on these issues,” Kacar says.

A Union Envoy can be any member of the Industrial Union.

“The idea is not to tell them what they should or should not do in too much detail. We’re hoping that the Union Envoys will shape the activi­ties in coope­ra­tion with us.

I am convinced that there is somet­hing interes­ting for everyone to do.

The Union Envoys can also tailor their own job descrip­tion to best suit them.

“They can concent­rate on what they feel is most meaningful to them and matches their indivi­dual skill set. The sky is the limit as to what a Union Envoy can do.

For some Union Envoys, the activity might be putting up Industrial Union posters on the cafeteria wall; and for others, it might be joining a local branch for workplace visits.

A NEW WAY TO GET INVOLVED

The first training sessions for Union Envoys attracted around 35 people. The number was a positive surprise.

“We have many members with foreign backgrounds who would like to be active, but there have been no low-thres­hold ways to get involved,” Kacar says.

A low-thres­hold approach means that there are no pre-requi­sites for becoming a Union Envoy. Being interested in the activi­ties is enough.

“I warmly welcome all those who wish to join us. The network is not just for people of foreign origin. Finnish and Swedish speakers are also welcome.”

Around 12% of Finland’s labour force is now made up of people with a foreign background. This share is projected to double within the next couple of decades at the latest. Currently, around 4% of the members of the Industrial Union are of foreign origin.

“The membership poten­tial is huge,” Kacar says.

YOU NEED TO GET THE MESSAGE ACROSS

Preconcep­tions can clear away when a Union Envoy, who may have first-hand experience of learning the ways of a new country, talks about working life practices and trade unions.

“The message gets across better when it’s spoken by someone who has been through the same things,” Kacar says.

The battle against labour exploi­ta­tion is an impor­tant part of trade union activities.

“Union Envoys can spread the word about how things should really be done in working life and how the union can help.”

Through the Union Envoys, the union is also able to obtain infor­ma­tion about poten­tial injus­tices in the workplace.

“The aim is for us to receive infor­ma­tion about any concerns and questions arising in the workplace. Based on this, we will be able to target our activities.”

A LIVELY EXCHANGE OF IDEAS

An online platform has been set up for Union Envoys to chat.

“The online platform allows us to brains­torm together. You can make a post there if you need advice,” Kacar says.

The exchange of ideas has been lively since the beginning.

“There has been a lot of discus­sion about what infor­ma­tion the foreign emplo­yees in Finland have and how to provide them with this information.”

“If you are at all interested, you should get involved. I’m convinced that there is somet­hing interes­ting for everyone to do. Unfor­tu­na­tely, no salary will be paid for the activi­ties, but expenses will be reimbursed,” says Kacar.

The plan is to organise meetings for Union Envoys.

“The idea is that once a year there would be a gathe­ring to thank the volun­teers for their time and efforts. There would be some training during the day and a more informal gathe­ring in the evening,” Kacar says.

This is just the begin­ning for Union Envoy activi­ties, but it has been a promi­sing start.

“Predic­tions are difficult to make, but I’m optimistic with so many Union Envoys already involved. This could be an essen­tial part of the Industrial Union’s activi­ties in the future.”

LEARN MORE:

www.teollisuusliitto.fi/union-envoy

Interested? You can become a Union Envoy by sending an email message to the Foreign Labour Unit at uty@teollisuusliitto.fi.