Do you work in the ski centre or activity programme sector, and are you worried about the lock-out?
Photo: Kaisa Siren / Lehtikuva
We have listed answers to some questions that may have been raised among employees by the lock-out announced by employers and the resulting situation.
What is it all about?
PAM tried to negotiate wage rises for the ski centre and activity programme sectors. The negotiators were of the opinion that companies in the sector, which are making good profits, can afford to pay better wages, and it is only right and proper that employees should get their share of this success.
What is a lock-out?
Industrial action by employers forming part of the collective bargaining process. A lock-out means employers prevent employees going to work, suspend wage payments and thereby put pressure on PAM to agree to their own demands.
How did a lock-up end up being announced?
PAM tried to negotiate wage increases, but on 14 November the Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa, representing the employers, broke off the negotiations. This came as a surprise to the trade unions, because PAM believes in resolving matters through dialogue. As well as ending the negotiations unilaterally, MaRa announced a lock-out on 22 November.
Who does the lock-out apply to and when does it begin?
The lock-out applies to employees in a total of 27 companies and locations announced by the employers’ association on individual days starting from 8 December. Both the companies and the lock-out days are given on MaRa’s lists: ski centre sector and programme sector (in Finnish). According to MaRa’s announcement, the lock-out only applies to PAM members.
What should I do if my company is affected by the lock-out?
All employees, including PAM members, should try to come to work as normal during the lock-out. If your employer prevents you from coming to work, you should demand an explanation in writing of why you cannot come to work.
Can I stay at home on lock-out days?
No. You should go to work according to your duty roster and an explanation in writing of why your employer is preventing you from coming to work.
Can an employer ask if an employee is a union member?
That is no business of the employer. If an employer asks that, the employee does not need to answer. Finnish legislation guarantees freedom of association.
What should employees do if they are pressurised?
Tell your employer that pressurising is prohibited. Employees should contact their shop steward. If you don’t have one, you should contact the union.
Can you get strike support for the period of the lock-out?
Support decisions are made by PAM’s Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will meet on Tuesday 28 November. Monitor the situation on PAM’s website and newsletter.
How do I know if I am entitled to support?
Employees whose membership of PAM is valid and their membership fees are paid on the day when the lock-out starts are entitled to strike support.
Where can I get more information on the lock-out and the ongoing situation?
The union’s website has all the information on the lock-out and is constantly updated according to developments. If for some reason you cannot find the information you need, you should either contact your shop steward or the union’s membership service.
What does the National Conciliator do?
The job of the National Conciliator is to assist the social partners in labour disputes that threaten industrial peace.
How does conciliation move forward?
The National Conciliator invites MaRa and Pam to a joint meeting, after which she decides whether to begin mediation. If the National Conciliator decides to make a mediation proposal, it is considered by the social partners’ own administrations.
Does the lock-out affect holidays or days off granted to me?
The lock-out does not affect holidays, days off or sick leave. If an employee is on sick leave or the duty roster shows holiday or a day off, the employer cannotwithhold pay for that day. Employers cannot change an existing duty roster, e.g. by moving a working day to a day off.
What makes PAM think that the ski centre and activity programme sectors can afford to increase wages?
Profitability in the sector is excellent. There are few companies, but they are large. The turnover of companies in the sector is growing strongly. The average gross pay of full-time workers with bonuses is 2000 euros a month. There are many seasonal and part-time workers in the sector.
Apply for lock-out payment here.