SAK willing to continue exploratory talks

The Executive Board stresses that SAK is willing to continue discussions with a view to achieving a consolidated labour market settlement, as jobs are disappearing in Finland with each passing day and the economic climate is exceptionally poor. The Executive Board nevertheless insists that bargaining with the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) will be strictly constrained and that SAK will not sign up to any simple pay freeze policy. Instead the organisation is expecting nominal pay increases that promote equality.

SAK President Lauri Lyly observes that his organisation will not accept any financing of employee purchasing power that is based solely on tax breaks or reduced contributions to earnings-related pension schemes. The SAK Executive Board is particularly concerned to see measures taken to curb unemployment, and to ensure that any accord includes qualitative improvements in working conditions.

"For one thing, the situation of part-time employees needs changing, and unemployment benefit regulations must also be adjusted to make it easier for claimants to take up occasional job opportunities", Lyly says.