JOIN FUURT MEMBERSHIP

Every raise in salaries and most other employee benefits are a direct result of the union's work. Employers do not raise salaries on their own initiative. The more powerful an organisation is—the more members there are—the better it can safeguard its members' interests.

By joining the union you strengthen its power in labour market negotiations and lay a more solid ground for the safeguarding of your rights and interests. As a member you will also have more security in your everyday life: You are, among other things, entitled to income-related unemployment benefit. Furthermore, the union offers you advice, assistance and support at difficult junctures in your professional life.

Why Choose FUURT?

When safeguarding the interests of university staff—as regards salaries and other benefits—FUURT is in a more powerful position than unions operating outside the university sector. FUURT is one of the major parties in the national collective bargaining with the employer, and locally its representatives negotiate agreements on salaries and other conditions of employment in the universities. Shop stewards representing local member associations supervise the enforcement of and compliance with contracts in each university.

The union 

* has representatives in the major decision-making bodies of AKAVA 

* is in continuous contact with decision-makers in the university field 

* has representatives in decision-making administrative bodies of the universities 

* gives statements and expert opinions to the Ministry of Education, the universities and the Finnish Academy.

FUURT has agreements on dual membership with several other unions of AKAVA. These agreements allow members to join a second union, which represents their field of education. (See kaksoisjärjestäytyminen)

International Membership

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 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.