Finnish Union of University Researchers and Teachers, FUURT

University research and teaching in Finland has become more and more international. New contacts, contracts and projects have brought new scholars and specialists to work in Finland. This has meant new challenges also for trade unions which have previously worked first and foremost at national level. This is also true of the largest university sector union, the Finnish Union of University Researchers and Teachers (FUURT). One of the main challenges is in providing information to and consultation for foreign members and applicants. For this purpose, FUURT is taking steps to bring out basic material on members' rights and duties. Some of the material is rather general by nature, as more specific and detailed information can be obtained from one's own association. Some of the matters also vary according to whether or not one is an EU citizen.

"Becoming a Member"

All individual membership is via any one of the 20 associations (or member unions) which either work at the local university level, or are national ones. To become a member, you need to fill in an application to join one of the member associations, which then processes your application. The field of research, teaching and information work is heterogeneous.

There are many sorts of jobs and even more titles for the workers, and there are thus also various groups of individual members belonging to the member associations. There are also other Unions into which people are organized. If you are not certain about where you belong to, do not hesitate to ask the association representatives. FUURT, together with its member associations, watches over the legal and social interests and pay development of persons engaged in research, teaching and information work at Finnish universities, university-level and research establishments as well as the Finnish Academy. This it does in cooperation with other Unions working within the same field. For collective bargaining, negotiating and lobbying, FUURT is a member of one of the three central labour organisations, AKAVA, the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland.

"Membership Fees"

All members pay fees to their member association. The size of the fees is agreed on annually, and they vary somewhat from one association to the other, amounting to something between 1.0-1.2 % of one's wages (if you work on a regular basis), or 0.6 % if you are enjoying a scholarship, or 21 marks per month (if you are unemployed, on maternity leave, etc.). Details of fees can best be obtained from the relevant association. Those with regular wages can authorize the employer to deduct their fees from their pay; forms for this are available from the associations. Others receive bank giro receipts with which they take care of the fees. Members of FUURT are entitled to membership in the Teachers' Unemployment Benefit Society. These unemploy-ment benefits can be collected only if the fees have been duly paid.

"Members' Rights"

FUURT membership guarantees certain benefits. Among other things, FUURT safeguards its members' legal and social rights at the workplace and provides assistance in work-related matters. Benefits from the Teachers' Unemployment Benefit Society, the Acatiimi magazine, and various other privileges are also included.

To make all this possible, there is first of all the system of shop stewards maintained by the central organisation AKAVA through its negotiation organ AKAVA-JS. These stewards provide a link between the employee and the employer to negotiate on matters relating to individual and collective conditions of employment contracts. This is an essential system for watching over members' rights. Should problems or questions arise, you should contact your local shop steward ("luottamusmies").

The elected officials of member associations give their assistance and support on a voluntary basis. As specialists of a given institution, they should be able to find a suitable channel for you to take forward your initiatives or problems. FUURT's office sees to individual members' matters as much as it can. It has a contract with a law firm for urgent legal matters. FUURT officials also provide negotiation help for member associations when necessary. The Teachers' Unemployment Benefit Society handles matters of those members who are entitled to unemployment benefits, that is, who have, first of all, received wages regularly, and, secondly, have also been paying union membership fees (or more correctly the Unemployment Benefit Society fees that are included in the union membership fees) for a sufficient time (10 months). In general, a scholarship does not entitle a member to unemploy ment benefit. For those not insured by the Society there is the Central Pension Security Institute (KELA), which sees to several benefit matters from pensions to unemployment benefits.

Thinking of pensions, your future pension does not accrue from work on a scholarship. Therefore, those who expect to rely on grants for a long time may also want to consider taking up a personal insurance policy securing old-age livelihood. For advice on these matters, contact either FUURT office, local associations, or insurance ompanies.

"Information and Contacts"

General information on matters such as work permits, immigration, refugee status, equality, work safety, sickness benefit, taxation and other work-related matters is best available from the relevant sources: the Ministry of Labour, Directorate of Immigration, the police, tax offices, the Agency for Welfare and Health, occupational safety district inspectors, and so on. The main information channel between the Union and its individual members is the Acatiimi magazine. Acatiimi is published jointly by FUURT, the Finnish Union of University Professors, and the Finnish Union of University Lecturers. The magazine covers general matters as well as more detailed issues concerning collective negotiations, developments within the university sector, and new challenges to the members. It also offers an open forum for comments and discussion.FUURT also has its web pages at [http://www.tieteenteki-joidenliitto.fi], containing a lot of information about the Union. The site offers quick access to contact information and links to the member associations' web sites. There are also a lot of other links to relevant institutions and so on.

The Union's contact information can be found in each issue of Acatiimi.

"Union Activities"

The highest authority in the Union is held by the General Meeting. FUURT holds its meetings twice a year, in spring and in autumn. The member associations are eligible to send their representatives to these meetings. The Autumn Meeting elects the members of the Executive Board, which manages the affairs of the Union.

The best way to influence the activities of FUURT is to be an active member in a member association and to take an interest in Union matters. Participation and initiatives are welcome.