Sauna, salmiakki, silence.
Whether you later grow to love or loathe them, there are plenty of things about Finland that can at first seem strange. Like over 4,000 other TEK members, I was not born here, meaning I still remember well my first sauna, my first piece of salmiakki, my first time by a lake in a forest marvelling at the silence.
Perhaps less visible, but just as Finnish and potentially strange at first glance, are trade unions.
The high membership of trade unions reveals much about what makes Finland great. It showcases the belief in collective strength, in people working together for a shared purpose to better the situation for everyone. Across society this same phenomenon can also be seen, from shared “talkoot” community activities to the fascination with starting clubs and organisations.
This collective spirit goes hand in hand with a trust of those around you. It’s on this trust that for example Finnish working life is built; mutual trust allows for a low hierarchy and an understanding of the benefits of a good work life balance.
I remember noticing that feeling of collective spirit and trust just as much as I remember my first (unpleasant) experience with salmiakki.
As Finland becomes more diverse, an important question arises. How can we ensure that collective strength is truly of the full collective, that trust is something accessible for everyone, regardless of background?
As a trade union, TEK is a part of finding those solutions for Finland. We work to ensure diversity of all kinds has its rightful place in the technology industry, fighting for a more equal working life. More broadly, we advocate for fairer immigration and labour policies, ones that allow everyone the chance of psychological safety.
We also must however face the same questions of our own actions. How can we build trust among potential international members, then remain worthy of that trust? How can we be a union for all technology professionals?
The answer is simple and complex. We need to be the best union we can be, for which, we need every member. Together, we must turn the idea of unions from strange to strength and build trust in us and in Finland.
