x
The incomes policy negotiations came to a halt on Monday, 13th
November, following an extremely long and tough session which had lasted for more than 24
hours. This latest attempt to find an incomes policy solution was abandoned when AKAVA,
the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals, insisted that their demand for a
special pay award, for a group of highly qualified but low-income professionals, was met.
The negotiations were not, however, driven into an impasse. Each of the trade union
central organisations agreed to continue their efforts to find a route to a centralised
incomes policy. The SAK Executive Council will again convene on the afternoon of Friday,
17th November. This is now the new deadline.The demand for an additional pay award of 0.2% for highly qualified, but low paid
professionals, which was insisted upon by AKAVA, has caused difficulties during the
incomes policy bargaining process. AKAVA is demanding that this pay award is granted to
those groups of professionals who earn less than the average Finnish salary, such as
social workers, nursery teachers and librarians. However, the low paid municipal workers
who are members of SAK affiliated trade unions would not benefit from this pay award, and
SAK cannot accept this differentiation.
SAK has from the very beginning negotiated for an
additional low-income pay award which every worker in the low income bracket would receive
without reference to professional qualifications. This is aimed particularly with women in
mind. Lauri Ihalainen, the President of SAK, affirmed on Monday evening that SAK has
consistently maintained its approach of fairness in the pay bargaining process and has
demonstrated solidarity with all low earners. In contrast, AKAVA has supported pay rises
which are based on percentage terms and which would therefore favour those on higher
incomes.
Agreement not far off
According to rumours which are currently circulating, on
the incomes policy bargaining process, the negotiators have arrived at a consensus on a
number of issues. It is anticipated that the agreement is likely to be index-linked. At
the insistence of SAK, the unemployed are about to receive a small increase in their
benefit. It also appears probable that the Saturday which follows Ascension Day will no
longer be regarded as a full working day and that a solution, which will satisfy the trade
unions, will be found.
However, until all the factors which are the subject of
negotiation have been agreed, there is no agreement per se. Lauri Ihalainen was
thus unable to present a negotiated agreement to the SAK Executive Council late on Monday.
He is optimistic however, and is hoping that a solution for this centralised incomes
policy will be found during the current week, and that each trade union will support it.
Leena Seretin |
