Universal validity of collective labour agreements
Encyclopedia
In Finland
, Universal validity of collective labour agreements is a condition that a collective agreement
in an economic sector becomes a universally applicable legal minimum for any individual's employment contract, union member or not. It requires that half of the workforce in that sector support the agreement, i.e. are union members.
Workers are not forced to join a union in a specific workplace. Nevertheless, with 70% average unionization, most economic sectors are under a collective labour agreement. Notice that an agreement doesn't prohibit higher wages and better benefits, but establishes a legal minimum, similarly to a minimum wage
. Furthermore, a Comprehensive Income Policy Agreement
is often, but not always reached, which includes all trade union
s, employer's unions and the Finnish government.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, Universal validity of collective labour agreements is a condition that a collective agreement
Collective agreement
A collective agreement or collective bargaining agreement is an agreement between employers and employees which regulates the terms and conditions of employees in their workplace, their duties and the duties of the employer...
in an economic sector becomes a universally applicable legal minimum for any individual's employment contract, union member or not. It requires that half of the workforce in that sector support the agreement, i.e. are union members.
Workers are not forced to join a union in a specific workplace. Nevertheless, with 70% average unionization, most economic sectors are under a collective labour agreement. Notice that an agreement doesn't prohibit higher wages and better benefits, but establishes a legal minimum, similarly to a minimum wage
Minimum wage
A minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers. Equivalently, it is the lowest wage at which workers may sell their labour. Although minimum wage laws are in effect in a great many jurisdictions, there are differences of opinion about...
. Furthermore, a Comprehensive Income Policy Agreement
Comprehensive Income Policy Agreement
Finnish national income policy agreements or comprehensive income policy agreements are tripartite agreements between Finnish trade unions, employers' organizations, and the Finnish government. They are policy documents covering a wide range of economic and political issues, such as salaries,...
is often, but not always reached, which includes all trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s, employer's unions and the Finnish government.