Finland: trade unions unhappy with the conciliation system as tensions dominate new collective agreement negotiations

Not only are Finland’s trade unions unhappy with the National Conciliator, Vuokko Piekkala, they are also critical of the conciliation system that has had much to deal with in terms of a conflict-strewn end to 2019 and with the start of 2020 looking no different, especially in the nation’s key paper industry.
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The role of Finland’s National Conciliator as set out in the Act on Mediation in Labour Disputes is to assist and support the social partners during disputes if the successful conclusion of agreements cannot occur without external assistance. In order to facilitate the resolution process, negotiating partners must provide the National Conciliator with two weeks notice prior to the commencement or extension of any strike action. Social partners are required to positively participate in the media

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