Support for union membership almost universal in Finland

(Helsinki 18.10.2004 - Juhani Artto) One important feature of Finnish society is the high esteem enjoyed by the trade unions. Despite an oft-repeated prognosis, and despite the fears expressed by union activists, this high esteem looks set to continue for several years to come.

This conclusion may be drawn from the latest opinion survey on the issue. As much as 89 per cent of the Finnish public agree that membership of a trade union organisation is important. This attitude prevails in a large majority of all social and age groups.

Even in the youngest age group, from 15 to 24 years, 87 per cent shared the idea that the union movement is important. The survey confirms the results of previous surveys made among young adults: the main reason why young people fail to join a trade union is lack of information.

Of social groups, salaried employees recorded the highest support rates for the unions, clearly exceeding 90 per cent. The lowest rating of 82 per cent was recorded among entrepreneurs. Support among wage earners was 86 per cent.

The overwhelmingly most important motive for union membership was pay and job security. Almost half (49 per cent) of all interviewees chose this option. Nearly one in four (24 per cent) gave priority to the earnings-linked unemployment benefit paid by union benefit funds. This contradicts the commonly heard claim that earnings-linked benefits are the most important reason for union membership.

The largest central trade union organisation SAK enjoys the highest level of appreciation of any lobbying group in Finland. More than two thirds (69 per cent) of respondents expressed their appreciation for SAK's work. The country's other central trade union organisations STTK and Akava narrowly exceeded approval ratings of 50 per cent.

Similar surveys have been made since 1995, and the latest results are well in line with previous findings.

The opinion survey was conducted by Gallup Finland and commissioned by the country's three central trade union organisations SAK, STTK and Akava. 1000 members of the Finnish public aged at least 15 years were interviewed in August-September.

This article was first published in Trade Union News in Finland.