The Negotiation Organisation for Public Sector Professionals JUKO has accepted the proposal by National Conciliator Anu Sajavaara to resolve the university labour dispute. Pro and JHL, as well as the employer organization Finnish Education Employers (Sivista), have also accepted the settlement proposal. JUKO represents TEK members in university collective agreement negotiations.
With the acceptance of the proposal, the 24-hour strike that was to affect the University of Helsinki and the University of Turku on May 27th has been cancelled, as all parties announced their approval on Wednesday.
Salaries will increase by a total of 7.8% over the nearly three-year agreement period (May 21st, 2025 – March 31st, 2028). The increases follow the general line set by the export industry. A significant portion of the raises will be paid as general increases to all university employees.
After more than three months of negotiations, JUKO emphasizes the importance of securing general line salary increases for university staff.
“A real test ahead for universities”
Regarding the teaching hour caps that protect teaching and research staff from excessive workloads, JUKO stresses that universities as employers now face a real test.
The proposal includes elements that enhance the possibility of locally agreeing on suitable work entities for staff and the employer, aiming for a more flexible model to combine teaching and research work.
If concerns about increased workload arise during the trial, the matter will be addressed locally without delay.
Resolving local agreement issues requires mutual will and trust at the workplace. JUKO will monitor how local agreements develop in universities.
The employment terms and salaries of 35,000 employees at Finland’s 13 universities are negotiated by JUKO, Pro, and JHL, and the employer organisation Finnish Education Employers (Sivista).
University strikes are rare – JUKO thanks all participants
JUKO thanks everyone who participated in, supported, or prepared for the strike. Support for the negotiations and negotiators has been crucial.
Strikes in the university sector are rare. Before the Tampere strike, the last university strike occurred seven years ago at the University of Helsinki.
New agreement in short
JUKO’s negotiators | Head of Collective Bargaining Katja Aho (JUKO), University Advisory Board Chair and Executive Director Tarja Niemelä (Finnish Union of University Professors), Special Adviser Hanna Tanskanen (Trade Union of Education, OAJ), Negotiations Manager Petri Toiviainen (Social Science Professionals), and Negotiations Manager Reetta Kuosmanen (The Union of Research Professionals).
New name of the general collective agreement: Yliopistojen työehtosopimus (Universities’ Collective Agreement)
Agreement period: May 21, 2025 – March 31, 2028
Salary increases during the period: Total 7.8%
Main negotiators: JUKO, Trade Union Pro, Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL and employer organisation Finnish Education Employers (Sivista)
Members of JUKO-affiliated unions work at universities in roles typical for highly educated professionals, including research, teaching, administration, and leadership positions.
Salary increases by year
2025
- General increase (yleiskorotus) of 2.5% from July 1st
2026
- General increase of 2.2% from June 1st
- Local increment (paikallinen erä) of 0.3% from December 1st (employer decides distribution)
2027
- General increase of 2.0% from June 1st
- Local increment of 0.4% from December 1st
- Structural increment (järjestelyerä) of 0.4% from January 1st
JUKO unions will provide more detailed information to their members, shop stewards, and strike leaders.
- JUKO’s university sector unions will later provide their members with more detailed information about the contents of the agreement.
- JUKO will organise a briefing on the agreement for the sector’s shop stewards and, exceptionally, also for strike leaders.