Union´s new regio­nal cent­res begin their work

Until the end of 2021, the 35 collec­tive agree­ments of the union were divi­ded into four agree­ment sectors. From now on, there will be just three sectors.

The exis­ting special branc­hes sector will be closed down and the collec­tive agree­ments placed under the chemical and tech­no­logy sectors. The wood product sector conti­nues as it is today.

For example, the rural industries will operate under the tech­no­logy sector and the texti­les services branch under the chemical sector.

At the same time all three agree­ment sectors will now be working toget­her as one joint labour market sector with Jyrki Virta­nen as Direc­tor. He has been up until now Direc­tor of the tech­no­logy sector.

In prac­tise, these admi­ni­stra­tive chan­ges will not greatly affect the indi­vi­dual member. His or her ques­tions will still be answe­red and inte­rests taken care of by the union. Shop stewards will conti­nue to work as they do now.

Anot­her change is the reform of regio­nal offices. Before, the union had 11 regio­nal offices. From January on, there will be seven regio­nal cent­res. These are to be loca­ted in Helsinki, Kuopio, Lahti, Oulu, Tampere, Turku and Vaasa.

Before, the union had 11 regio­nal offices. From January on, there will be seven regio­nal centres.

The areas served by the new regio­nal cent­res are the same as coun­ties of Finland. This means that in some cases the regio­nal centre serving members might not be the same as before.

Behind the chan­ges is the fact that the Industrial Union is both a new and old orga­ni­sa­tion. In 2018, three unions merged to become the exis­ting Industrial Union.

These three unions had deep roots in the labour move­ment. The oldest union local branch today is the book prin­ters associa­tion in Helsinki, establis­hed in 1869. After the book prin­ters’ union was establis­hed in 1894, it reac­hed in 1911 the first collec­tive agree­ment in Finland.

The Metalwor­kers’ Union star­ted in 1899. In the same year, the carpen­ters’ union was established.

All these old roots, unions and prac­ti­ses came toget­her in the Industrial Union. To get everyt­hing working toget­her seam­lessly demands conti­nuous thinking.

The struc­ture and loca­tion of the regio­nal offices, for example, has been under consi­de­ra­tion for some years. The union stra­tegy for the years 2018–2023 notes that the regio­nal orga­ni­sa­tions should be deve­lo­ped in line with the needs of members.

Now this goal is going one step forward.