SAK 90 Years Old
" Let us rally our divided force "

The pioneers of the trade union movement, earnestly believed that workers could only defend their rights and interests by working together. In 1907, the central organisation had 25,000 members. At that time, trade unions were still acting under difficult circumstances as employer organisations dis not yet recognise the trade union movement´s negotiating and contractual rights. In fact, the Finnish trade union movement was to be beser with difficulty for several subsequent decades. The Civil War in 1918 which left deep wounds in Finnsih society also sharply affectes the Labour movement

No negotiation or agreement relationships existed. The oppression of unionised employees, the keeping of black books and redundancies were everyday occurrences.

Internal conflicts at the end of the 1920´s caused the dissolution of the Congress of Trade Unions and following demands by the so called Lapua Movement, the authorities closed down its operations. However, the work continued - in October 1930, the Confederation of Finnish Trade Unions SAK, was founded.

Collective Agreement System Breakthrough

It was not until the Winter War in 1940, that the employers agreed to sit down at the same table with SAK - The Finnish Employers' Confederation STK recognised SAK as a negotiating partner. In the spring of 1944, during the final phase of the so called Continuation War, the first general agreement between SAK and STK was signed and it was after the Second World war that STK finally gave its approval for collective bargaining agreements. During the years 1945-1947, the collective bargaining agreement system was developed for all the main sectors of the economy. It meant a great change in working life. The shop-steward system was established in the SAK-STK general agreement of 1946. Moving to a policy of negotiation and agreements in the labour market strengthened democracy during the difficult period after the war.

SAK became a strongly influencing organisation in post war years. The rate of unionisation increased rapidly. SAK's membership had already increased to nearly 300,000 by the year 1945. The General Strike in March 1956 shook the whole nation. Soon after the strike was over, internal conflicts began to tear SAK apart. The internal schisms in both SAK and the Social Democratic Party were closely connected. The reuniting of forces began in 1964, but the process was long and difficult.

United and Strong

In June 1969 the central organisation SAK held its reunification congress. The process of reunification at the union level continued until December 1974, when the parallel unions for the leather and rubber industries amalgamated, finally completing the long and difficult task of healing.

The reunification of SAK in 1969 began the strong development of unionisation. The rate of unionisation increased faster in Finland during the 1970s than in any other industrial country. By the end of 1969, SAK boasted a total membership of 566,000. In 1972 this figure had increased to nearly 800,000. In the 1960s the rate of unionisation was approximately 50 per cent; in the 1980s it increased to over 80 per cent.

Building Up Welfare and Security

Immediately following the sixties SAK enjoyed a time of stability and great achievements. The trade union movement has decisively influenced the developments of the whole of modern Finnish society.

TIn 1968 the so called "Liinamaa agreement" was concluded, beginning the period of income policy agreements. The realisation of SAK's main aim - social justice and social protection - made great strides forward. Labour legislation and social security developed strongly.

However, past achievements have created a strong base during recent years, the trade union movement has endured a period of severe defensive struggle. The work achieved during the past decades has created a strong base for confronting the challenge of these times. Finland has a well functioning labour market system and a high rate of unionisation.

Marjaana Valkonen

The author wors directly for SAK´s president as the Development Manager. She has already written a two volume accont of SAK´s history. She is currently the Chairperson of the EU´s Working Life Research Institute - The Dublin Foundation.