From ideas to action – "It is high time to do something"
TEXT ANTTI HYVÄRINEN AND HEIKKI JOKINEN
PHOTO TOMMI ANTTONEN
Wage and salary earners must go to the polls in the next parliamentary elections in April 2027. This is the way not to repeat the unpleasant consequences of the latest elections. Representatives of the union’s local chapters met in Jyväskylä to find ideas on how to activate members and local chapters.
The weekend training was hosted by the Valmet metalworkers’ local chapter 74. More than 20 people from four nearby local chapters participated.
PM Petteri Orpo’s Government has, among other things, limited the right to strike, made employees more vulnerable in working life, and cut social security.
– It is high time to do something. Everyone has noticed what happens in the country and who is targeted when a right-wing Government is in power. The trade union movement has been beaten like a rented mule, says Tarmo Pekonen, chairperson of the local chapter 74.
Shop stewards are vital when it comes to encouraging people to vote. Additionally, closer cooperation between the local chapters is important.
– We begin by contacting shop stewards in the Jyväskylä region. There are 120 of them. There is work to do, and this is where we start, Pekonen says.
DISCUSS WITH PEOPLE
The participants came up with some practical plans during the weekend. For instance, the magazine of the local chapter can highlight the election themes. Candidates for Parliament can visit chapter meetings.
If there is a good atmosphere in the workplace, even difficult topics can be discussed.
Tiina Viita-aho, board member of Vaajakoski metalworkers’ local chapter 120, was satisfied with the course training method. It was based on discussion, not on lecturing.
Though the number of active members in her chapter is limited, social issues are discussed a lot at workplaces. Many people are up-in-arms due to recent policies.
– There might be some four-letter words flying around. The feedback to the Government is sometimes pretty colourful, Viita-aho says.
Toni Aspholm, secretary of the Jyväskylä Metalworkers local chapter 26, was interested in seeing people from other chapters and developing cooperation with them.
It might be difficult to discuss political topics in the workplace, but having different opinions does not have to mean quarreling.
– If there is a good atmosphere in the workplace, even difficult topics can be discussed. Though there might be different opinions, it is only on specific points that people have a different approach to, Aspholm says.
CONCRETE MEASURES NEEDED
The goal of this training is to help local chapters to develop concrete measures to activate people, says course organiser Kaisa Niskanen from the Industrial Union. Local chapters can request this training from the union.
There is no need to avoid discussing social issues in the local chapter activities. It is one of their tasks, even stated in the chapter by-laws. Now is the time to turn this into practice, Niskanen says.
She encourages local chapters to order this training and make their voices heard in society. In the parliamentary elections, every vote counts if employees are to get a friendly Government.
– We will not win elections with money but through interaction with people.
