The negotiations, which lasted for about 3 weeks between the representatives of the three major union federations (SAK, STTK and AKAVA) and employers (EK), in view of reaching a general agreement on pay, failed in spite of intense pressure from the government. Indeed, the latter wanted to reach an agreement before the end, in the fall, of the previous framework agreement signed in the fall of 2011. Because of weak growth prospects (around 0.5% this year), a two-year moderate agreement would have provided visibility and helped lessen the consolidation measures planned on March 21 within the framework of budget planning. We should therefore expect sectoral negotiations in the fall with the resulting consequences (risk of conflict…). (Ref. 1302013)
Prime Minister Katainen called the social partners’ representatives to a meeting on the evening of March 20, in vain. This failure comes after a period of particularly tense relations between the social partners since the recent changes within the employers’ organization. New Director General Jyri Häkämies – former Minister for Economic Affairs –and the President, Ilpo Kokkila, adopted a tough line as soon as they were adopted so unions couldn’t take the initiative. The employers notably termin
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