What does the Union do?

The Union supervises and promotes the interests of its members in matters related to pay and compensation as well as issues associated with employment relations, work content and duties. The Union provides members with counselling related to employment and service relationships and legal aid.

The Union keeps its members informed about topical affairs in the spheres of university, science and research policy as well as personnel policy developments.

The Union has made preparations for providing financial assistance to its members in the event of a labour market conflict.

A local Union chapter provides a key university personnel group, the professors, a forum for regular mutual communication. In addition to ordinary meetings, chapters organise other events and activities as well.

There is a dedicated national chapter for research institute employees.

The local Union chapters are communities that enable members to have influence, safeguard the interests of professors and engage in dialogue with university management.

The Finnish Union of University Professors is responsible for an extensive set of duties that goes beyond the promotion of members’ immediate interests:

• The Union promotes the freedom of research and education and lobbies for improved prerequisites for research and education as well as for the continuous development of universities and research institutes.
• The Union works to promote interaction between the scientific community and the rest of society.

The strong competence and distinguished status of its members makes the Union an important contributor to social decision-making.

The Union comments on topical issues related to science and research policy. It is an active initiator and participant in debate concerning universities, higher education and the funding of science and research.

The Union regularly engages political decision-makers, university and research institute management and other influential people in the science, research and innovation sector in discussions, which contribute to its monitoring and promotion of the interests of its membership as well as of the entire university and research institute field.

The Union is heard by the different Parliamentary committees on legislative proposals concerning the universities. The Union statements can be found on the Union website. Additionally, the Union regularly meets with the Parliamentary Education and Culture Committee. Union representatives participate in discussions at Tutkas events for Parliament members and scientists. Members of Parliament participate in the Union seminars by invite. Additionally, the Union actively provides relevant information to Parliamentary members. Acatiimi magazine is sent to members of the Parliamentary Education and Culture Committee as well as to the members of the Finance Committee’s Subcommittee for Education and Science.

The membership of the Union consists of professors as well as other people who work in executive positions in the fields of research, education, research administration and scientific/artistic organisations. This means that the Union is well networked and a strong source of influence on Finnish society.

The Union works in close co-operation and interaction with other professional organisations that function in universities and research institutes.

The Union belongs to several international education and research organisations. The Union monitors international trends in universities, institutes of higher learning and research policy, and maintains contact with other international actors. The key channels for influence include ETUCE (European Trade Union Committee for Education) and HERSC (Higher Education and Research Standing Committee).

The Union is also a member of EI (Education International).

The Union regularly meets with representatives of the trade unions for the higher education sector in the Nordic countries.

Professors are the only profession employed by universities that are mentioned in the Universities Act.

Professors are the highest-trained professional group in universities and other research organisations. Separate salary categories have been created for them in the university pay system because of their level of education, competence and responsibility.

Professors work in management positions at universities and other research organisations. Therefore, they bear a greater responsibility than other personnel groups for the activities and development of these organisations and communities.

University professors and people who work in corresponding research management positions are an international profession. They form an international community with similar competence requirements, employment duties and responsibilities in different countries.