Akava - Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland

General presentation

Working together for success and security

Akava is a trade union confederation for those with a university, professional or other high-level education.

Akava has 35 affiliate unions with a combined membership of nearly 600,000.

Akava and its affiliates provide members with security in the form of, for example, collective agreements, a negotiation system, a network of shop stewards as well as legal and career services.

Akava, its affiliates and negotiation organisations work together to ensure the success and well-being of Akava members throughout their work career.

The President of Akava is Sture Fjäder.

A safety net for working life

Akava serves as part of the safety net for working life by contributing to the preparation of relevant legislation, unemployment and social security policies, and the pension system.

A safety net for working life

• Matters of interest to all Akava members

Akava

• Sector-specific matters

Negotiation organisations

• Professional members

• Students

Mem

ber

• Matters relevant to one’s own union

Affi

liate

uni

ons

Akava serves as part of the safety net for working life by contributing to the preparation of relevant legislation, unemployment and social security policies, and the pension system.

Agent of social influence in all its areas of activity

Societal policies Economic and tax policies Matters related to working life Social and health policies Educational policies Employment policies Business policies Organisational and student activities

Influence is based on expertise and research. Akava is influential on the national, regional and international

levels both as a central organisation and through its member affiliates.

Objectives

Finland shall gain growth and vitality through employment.

Education and training shall always be lucrative.

Work careers shall be extended by improvements in well-being at work and by developments in working life, employee competence and equality, and by investments in labour force services.

The incentive to work shall be increased by reducing work-related taxation.

The public economy shall be balanced and reach a state of stability, and municipal residents shall be guaranteed good services through reforms engaging the personnel. Strong growth and employment shall make it possible to ensure sustainable public services.

Finland’s competitiveness is based on competence and expertise. The continuity of this competence shall be assured on all levels. The development of universities in terms of quality and structures shall be continued.

OrganisationUnion Council

Board Executive committeeWorking committee

Business policy committee• Entrepreneurs’ and self-employed professionals’ division• Public sector division

Education and labour force policies committee

Organisation committee Social and health policies committee

Working life committee• Working life researchers Akava’s student council

• Students’ working committee

Regional networks (15)

Regional management

Values

Advocacy for members

Open co-operation

Active power player

Basic facts about Akava’s membership

Akava’s 35 affiliates have a total membership of 589,000 members, including 111,000 students.

Membership is degree-based, also in accordance with profession or work position.

Average age of labour force is 43 years

One fourth of all Akava members are under 30 years of age.

More than half are female.

46 per cent of the members have children under the age of 18.

76 per cent have a permanent, full-time job.

Unemployment has increased.

Young women are often working in fixed-term employment positions.

The average total earnings of men is 4,880 euro, while for women, it is 3,920 euro.

Akava members pay nearly half of the State’s income tax revenue.

Examples of Akava members’ professions and degrees

ExpertDoctor MeteorologistTeacherM.Sc. (Tech) toimintaterapeuttiOfficer Museum Curator

Speech therapist

BBA

Occupational health nurseFire chief

Sales and marketing professional

Agronomist

MBA

Social worker

Microbiologist

LibrarianPsychologist

Kindergarten teacher

Forester

LawyerPharmacistResearcher

Professor

Architect Engineer

Entrepreneur

Nurse

Veterinarian Environmental inspector DentistBorder and coast guard

Chemist

Technician

Housekeeping supervisor

Commercial pilot Product managerProperty manager

PhysicistTranslator

Source: Affiliate reports 2015

Akava employers 2015

6 %

32 %

1 %

58 %

3 %

Valtio, 6,3 %

Kunta, 31,8 %

Seurakunta, 1,3 %

Yksityinen, 57,7 %

Ammatinharjoittajat, 2,8 %

State 6.3%

Municipality 31.8%

Church 1.3%

Private 57.7%

Entrepreneur 2.8%

Total membership of all trade union confederations in 2015

Total 2,146,000

The total membership of the trade union confederations includes unemployed members, pensioners, students and non-paying members.Source: Cost distribution between SAK, STTK and Akava.

47 %

26 %

27 %

SAK (1 008 000)

STTK (550 000)

Akava (589 000)

Growth for Finland through work - Akava’s key objectivesfor the Government term 2015–2019

ObjectivesEmployment rate of 75% in 2015Tax rate at the EU-15 levelProfitable education

Longer work careers provide the funds for a healthy welfare society

Functioning incentives Lucrative workBetter foundations for entrepreneurism

Business subsidies that encourage renewalLonger careers through the development of working life

Solid foundationsA balanced public economyFunctioning social welfare, health care and municipal reforms

High competence levelR&D investments 4%