The conciliation process concerning the collective agreement for the universities of applied sciences has continued in August. The conciliation is being led by the new National Conciliator, Nikolas Elomaa, following the end of Anu Sajavaara’s term of office on 5 August 2026. The negotiating parties will meet with the conciliator again on Thursday, 20 August 2026.
OAJ’s strikes on 1–3 September do not apply to TEK members
In the negotiations, the teachers’ organisation OAJ submitted a strike notice on 17 August covering the Universities of Applied Sciences of Lapland, Oulu, and South-Eastern Finland, as well as LAB, Metropolia, and Savonia University of Applied Sciences. According to OAJ’s announcement, the strike will last for three days starting on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, unless an agreement is reached before then.
YTN has not issued this strike notice. Therefore, the strike organised by OAJ on 1–3 September does not apply to members of YTN-affiliated unions such as TEK. During the strikes, TEK members will continue to work as normal.
The stretch ban remains in force and also applies to TEK members
YTN Universities of Applied Sciences declared a so-called stretch ban covering all universities of applied sciences from 8 April 2026 onwards. The stretch ban means a ban on overtime, a ban on additional work, a ban on work-related travel during personal free time, and a ban on accumulating flexitime balances. The stretch ban remains in force until further notice.