Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions
 | |
| Full name | Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions |
|---|---|
| Native name |
Suomen Ammattiliittojen Keskusjärjestö Finlands Fackförbunds Centralorganisation |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Members | 1 million+ |
| Affiliation | ITUC, NFS, ETUC |
| Key people | Jarkko Eloranta, president |
| Office location | Helsinki, Finland |
| Country | Finland |
| Website | www.sak.fi |
The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions, usually referred to by the acronym SAK (Finnish: Suomen Ammattiliittojen Keskusjärjestö, Swedish: Finlands Fackförbunds Centralorganisation, FFC) is the largest trade union confederation in Finland. Its member organisations have a total of more than one million members, which makes up about one fifth of the country's population.
The other two Finnish trade unions confederations are the Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees (STTK) and the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland (AKAVA). The most important negotiating partner of SAK is the Elinkeinoelämän keskusliitto/Finlands Näringsliv (the Confederation of Finnish Industries, EK), which represents the majority of Finnish employers.
SAK has been challenged by Yleinen työttömyyskassa, an independent unemployment insurance institute, which charges lower fees than some of the trade unions, while not providing the other services of a Finnish trade union.
The current SAK was founded in 1969 as the Finnish Federation of Trade Unions (SAK 1930–1969), controlled by SKDL and TPSL, and the Finnish Trade Union Federation (SAJ 1960–1969), controlled by SDP, settled their disputes and merged. The SAK, however, considers itself the continuation of the first Finnish central organisation, the Finnish Trade Union Federation (SAJ 1907–1930).
Member unions
Current
- Construction Trade Union
- Finnish Aviation Union IAU
- Finnish Cabin Crew Union SLSY
- Finnish Electrical Workers' Union
- Finnish Food Workers' Union SEL
- Finnish Locomotivemen's Union
- Finnish Musicians' Union
- Finnish Post and Logistics Union
- Finnish Railwaymen's Union
- Finnish Seamen's Union SM-U
- Finnish Social Democratic Journalists' Union
- Finnish Transport Workers' Union AKT
- General Union of Journalists YLL
- Industrial Union TEAM
- Metalworkers' Union
- Paperworkers' Union
- Railway Salaried Staff's Union
- Service Union United PAM
- Theatre and Media Employees in Finland TeMe
- Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL
- Coastguard Union
- Finnish Customs Officers' Union
- Finnish NCOs' Union
- Finnish Prison Officers' Union
- Union of Foremen in Commerce
- Wood and Allied Workers' Union
Former
- Suomen Autoalantyöntekijäin Liitto (1969–1970) merged into AKT
- Auto- ja Konealan Unioni AKU (?–2003) merged into Metalworkers' Union
- Auto- ja Kuljetustyöväen Liitto (1969–1970) merged into AKT
- Hotel and Restaurant Workers' Union (1969–2000) merged into PAM
- Ilmakuljetusalan Ammattiliitto (1969) merged into IAU
- Suomen Ilmakuljetus Unioni (1969) merged into IAU
- Noble Metal Workers' Union (1969–1974) merged into Metalworkers' Union
- Järjestötoimitsijain Liitto JTL (–1996)
- Finnish Miners' Union (1969) merged into Metalworkers' Union
- Chemical Workers' Union (1993−2009) merged into TEAM
- Kemian Työntekijäin Liitto (1970–1993) merged into Chemical Workers' Union
- Kiinteistötyöntekijäin Liitto (1969–2000) merged into PAM
- Rubber and Leather Workers' Union (1969–1993) merged into Chemical Workers' Union
- Kunnallis- ja sairaala-alojen työntekijäin liitto (1969–?)
- Municipal Workers' Union KTV (1969–2006) merged into JHL
- Suomen Laivanpäällystöliitto SLPL (1972–1989) resigned, moved to STTK
- Finnish Glass and Porcelain Workers' Union (1968–1994) merged into Chemical Workers' Union
- Liikealan ammattiliitto (1987–2000) merged into PAM
- Liiketyöntekijäin Liitto (1969–1987) merged into Liikealan ammattiliitto
- Finnish Rural Workers' Union (1969–1993) merged into Wood and Allied Workers' Union
- Mielenterveys- ja kehitysvamma-alan liitto (1941–1981) merged into KTV
- Finnish Bricklayers' Union (1969–1971) merged into Construction Trade Union
- Paperiteollisuuden työntekijäin liitto (1969–?)
- Finnish Police Union (1945–1984) resigned 1984
- Postiliitto (1945–2005) merged into PAU
- Wood Workers' Union (1969–1993) merged into Wood and Allied Workers' Union
- Harbour Workers' Union (1969–1970) merged into AKT
- Finnish Divers' Union (1969) merged into Construction Trade Union
- Teknisten- ja Erikoisammattien Liitto Tekeri (1969–2000) merged into PAM
- Suomen Tekstiililaitosmiesten Liitto (1968–1989) merged into Teva
- Textile Workers' Union (1969–1970) merged into Teva
- Textile and Clothing Workers' Union Teva (?–2004) merged into Chemical Workers' Union
- Journalist Union (1969–?)
- Finnish Workers' Union (1969–?)
- Valtion Virkailijain Liitto (1969–?)
- Valtion Yhteisjärjestö VTY (?–2006) merged into JHL
- Finnish Media Union (1969–2009) merged into TEAM
- Virkamiesten Yhteisjärjestö (1969–?)
Scandals
SAK has received a lot attention for spending its members' money to mudslinging on behalf of Social Democratic Party. SAK's 2007 television advertisements were found so defaming that SAK had to withdraw the campaign. Even some SDP members expressed "disgust".[2][3]
SAK has been convicted of sexual discrimination in high court.[4] As of 2008, police is investigating financial fraud committed by SAK's Kiljava school.[5]
References
- ↑ Number of members SAK 19.5.2010
- ↑ SAK luopuu kohutuista televisiomainoksistaan. Helsingin Sanomat
- ↑ SAK:n kohumainos toimi niin kuin pitikin. Taloussanomat
- ↑ SAK:lle tuomio sukupuolisyrjinnästä. MTV3
- ↑ SAK:n Kiljavan opiston petosepäilyt syyttäjälle kesän jälkeen Helsingin Sanomat