Strike on 27 May cancelled – Parties have agreed on the new collective agreement for universities

JUKO, Pro and JHL as well as the Finnish Education Employers (FEE) have approved the conciliation proposal in the universities' collective bargaining dispute. The strike that threatened the University of Helsinki and the University of Turku on 27 May is cancelled.

The Negotiation Organisation for Public Sector Professionals (JUKO) has approved National Conciliator Anu Sajavaara’s conciliation proposal for the collective bargaining dispute at universities.

With the approval of the conciliation proposal, the 24-hour strike that threatened the University of Helsinki and the University of Turku on 27 May has been cancelled, as all parties to the dispute announced their acceptance on Wednesday.

“The Collective Agreement for Universities allows local agreement on the principles of work plans. This opens up opportunities for universities to compete for the best experts, for example, through the attractiveness of research opportunities”, says Teija Laitinen, Chair of the Finnish Union of University Professors.

The Finnish Union of University Professors also considers it important that work planning is developed and that all work tasks, including supervisory tasks, are registered in work plans in the future.

“The decision made corresponds to the so-called general line in terms of the level of salary increases. The collective agreement parties agreed on a joint working group on the salary system. The aim of the Finnish Union of University Professors is to develop the salaries of the professoriate through a reform of the salary system.”

Salaries will increase by a total of 7.8 per cent during the nearly three-year agreement period (21 May 2025–31 March 2028). The increases are in line with the general policy defined by the export industry. A significant part of the salary rises will be paid as a general raise for all university employees.

After more than three months of negotiations, JUKO considers it important that university staff have finally received pay rises in line with the general policy.

“Universities have a real opportunity to prove themselves”

Regarding the teaching hour ceilings that protect teaching and research workers from excessive workload, JUKO emphasises that universities as employers have a real opportunity to prove themselves.’

The conciliation proposal includes elements that increase the possibility of locally agreeing on work packages that are suitable for the personnel and the employer, as the experiment aims at a more flexible model for coordinating teaching and research work.

If situations arise in the experiment where there is concern about an increase in the workload, the matter will be processed locally without delay. If situations arise in the experiment where there is concern about an increase in the workload, the matter will be processed locally without delay.

Resolving issues related to local bargaining requires mutual will and trust in the workplace. JUKO will monitor the direction in which local bargaining is now developing in universities.

The terms of employment and salaries of the 35,000 employees at Finland’s thirteen universities were agreed upon by Negotiation organisation for public sector professionals JUKO, Trade Union Pro and Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL and the Finnish Education Employers (FEE) Sivista.

‘University strikes are rare – JUKO thanks everyone who participated

JUKO thanks everyone who participated in the strike, supported the strike and prepared for the threat of a strike. Support for the negotiations and negotiators has been of paramount importance.

Strikes in the university sector are rare. Before the strike in Tampere, the members of the University community went on strike seven years ago at the University of Helsinki.

JUKO’s negotiators for the university sector | Head of Collective Bargaining at the University Sector Katja Aho (JUKO), Chair of JUKO’s Advisory Board for the University Sector Tarja Niemelä (Finnish Union of University Professors), Leading Special Advisor Hanna Tanskanen (OAJ), Chief Negotiator Petri Toiviainen (YKA) ja Chief Negotiator Reetta Kuosmanen (Tieteentekijät).

The General Collective Agreement for Universities is now the Collective Agreement for Universities

Agreement period | 21 May 2025–31 March 2028

Salary increases during the agreement period | A total of 7.8 per cent

Main contractors | Negotiation organisation for public sector professionals JUKO, Trade Union Pro, Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL and employer organisation Finnish Education Employers (FEE) Sivista

Members of JUKO unions work in universities in research, teaching, administration and management tasks typical of Akava members.

Salary increases during the agreement period:

2025

The general increase will increase wages by 2.5 per cent from 1 July.

2026

The general increase will increase wages by 2.2 per cent as of 1 June.
Local amount from 1 December 0.3 per cent. The employer decides on the distribution of the instalment.

2027

The general increase will increase wages by 2 per cent from 1 June.
Local amount on 1 December 0.4 per cent. The employer decides on the distribution of the instalment.
Development allowance on 1 January 0.4 per cent.