The Finnish Union of University Lecturers
The Finnish Union of University Lecturers (Yliopistonlehtorien
liitto, YLL) is a trade union for all teaching staff at the
non-professorial level, whether tenured or untenured. YLL watches
over the interests of its members through OAJ (Opetusalan
Ammattijärjestö ry) and seeks to promote teaching and
research as well as the continuing development of the universities.
YLL also functions as the university branch of OAJ and
has currently around 1 700 members.
The Lecturer´s profession
The main responsibility of the university lecturer lies in the
provision of basic teaching in the academy. Instruction at this
level is based upon high-level teaching skills supported by up-to-date
research results. The lecturer's duties thus involve the continuous
developing and updating of teaching on a research-driven basis.
The recent reform concerning the allocation of lecturers' annual
1600 hours of work allows time spent on research to be included
among their official duties.
The work done by lecturers has considerable social impact. The
profession is one which is the outcome of a long period of study.
Its practice demands the acquisition a broad knowledge base, for
the lecturer is, after all, an educator of experts.
Organization
The supreme decision-making body of YLL is the bi-annual General
Meeting. Within YLL there are 21 registered local associations
each one of which can cast as many votes at the General Meeting
as the number of its members.
Modes of operation
YLL makes proposals and initiatives, issues statements, organizes
in-service education, undertakes negotiations, prepares briefings
and, through OAJ, maintains contact with the government departments
and other official bodies whose decision-making powers affect
its members. YLL also publishes the the trade journal Acatiimi
jointly with the Finnish Union of University Professors (Professoriliitto)
and the Finnish Union of University Researchers and Teachers (Tieteentekijoiden
liito).
YLL owns a publishing house, Oy Finn Lectura Ab, which
was founded in 1986 and which primarily focuses on the publication
of textbooks for use in adult and university education. Most of
the authors are university lecturers.
YLL safeguards the interests of its members through AKAVA's
Public Sector Negotiating Commission (AKAVA-JS) and OAJ, to which
it makes representations. Currently YLL is aiming through OAJ
to secure the following:
- improvement in lecturers' salaries, which have lagged appreciably
behind those in other sectors
- improved opportunities for lecturers to engage in scientific
research or artistic activities as part of their official duties.
This should be done, in accordance with the collective bargaining
agreement, by decreasing the amount of instruction given
- greater consideration to be given to teaching merit and the
publishing of text-books when filling posts
- members' interests are safeguarded in the event of proposals
to reform the existing salary structure
The Lecturer´s Union as part of OAJ
YLL functions as a national branch of OAJ and is thus part of
its organizational structure. YLL is represented on the elected
Council of OAJ in proportion to its membership.
As a national member union of the umbrella organization OAJ,
YLL coordinates moves to safeguard its members' interests and
deal with their problems and questions.
Influence on educational policy
The life of the universities is crucially influenced by how educational
policy as a whole is perceived across the country. Traditionally,
for, example, the emphasis has been on securing free and equal
opportunities to education. These principles continue to be relevant
in situations where proposals are heard with respect to reallocating
the financial burden of maintaining the universities. It is only
by being well organized that it is possible to have any marked
influence over national educational policy. YLL is supported in
its activities by OAJ and its 108 000 members. OAJ's experts are
also listened to by parliamentary committees in issues relating
to national education policy.
Lecturers and the university administration
It is not possible for lecturers, nor for that matter the members
of any other single profession, to constitute a majority in the
governing bodies of the university. Nonetheless, and perhaps precisely
for the reason that it is they who provide the major part of the
teaching given by academic staff in the universities, lecturers
should be better represented in university government. It is the
task of YLL to support those lecturers who have been elected
to governing bodies and, where necessary, make up for lack of
numbers by quality of representation.
Members´ benefits
Every member of YLL is also a member of OAJ and the teachers
unemployment fund. Where a member is laid off, for example, that
member will receive income- related benefit. OAJ members are also
entitled to assistance from the union's shop stewards, legal advice
in matters concerning terms of employment, liability and legal
protection insurance, life, travel and accident insurance with
Sampo, the annual OAJ calendar, products marketed by OAJ,
an OAJ credit card (Master Card), the various recreational
and cultural activities organized by OAJ, and the weekly OAJ journal,
Opettaja.
YLL members also have the opportunity to participate in the debate
on and development of the profession, and in special briefing
and training sessions arranged by the union's shop stewards. Members
may also take advantage of the special group insurances offered
by Pohjola (a group life and accident insurance company).
Members are also entitled to a 20% discount on books published
by Oy Finn Lectura Ab, a publishing house owned
by the union. Members also receive the union's journal Acatiimi.
Furthermore members share in the benefits offered by AKAVA,
including discounts at the travel agency Suomen Matkatoimisto,
holiday opportunities arranged by A-lomat, and
an Esso credit card.
Legal protection and advice
As a member of YLL, you are also a member of a larger community,
which lays a more solid foundation for the safeguarding of members'
legal rights in employment matters. Lecturers' conditions of employment,
social security and taxes are complex issues which demand a certain
level of expertise. YLL members are entitled to legal advice in
these matters at the more general level as well as in cases of
individual problems.
Why choose to join YLL?
Trade unions are an essential element in the functioning of the
Finnish labour market If YLL was not there to protect its members
interests, many issues concerning terms of employment and other
areas would be decided upon, for example, by the employer. One
of the union's central tasks is to promote the interests of lecturers.
This objective can better be achieved through the union than with-out
it, and even more so the more representative it is and the broader
its membership base.
For further information, please contact:
Vesa Kulmala (chair) tel. 0400 824 886; e-mail veskul@utu.fi
Ulla Vana (office secretary) tel. (09) 150 2381; e-mail ulla.vana@yll.pp.fi
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