First head shop steward elected at Freska
“When I was growing up, my mum used to say I am the worst cleaner ever. Recently, I just hit my five star score at Freska. That is the highest rating given by customers during a three month period”, Gerstin says with a big smile and grabs the spraybottle. Photo: Liisa Takala.
Gerstin Juss was elected the first head shop steward at cleaning company Freska in June. Since then she has helped to deal with stigma around union membership.
“I have always been the one some of my co-workers would turn to if they were uncertain about the work regulations”, tells Gerstin Juss, Freska’s new shop steward.
Every day Gerstin used to pass by the PAM sign in Hakaniemi on her way to work. On one occasion, she stepped into the regional office and got the answers she had been longing for concerning her work. When the PAM official asked if there is a shop steward at Freska, she said no.
“In June, I was elected the company’s first head shop steward ever. I guess my co-workers see me as a trustworthy person”.
Taking on the task as the company’s first shop steward has not been easy-peasy. Gerstin is a beginner and the company have no previous experience of a shop steward either. The first couple of months has gone by discussing about the rights and responsibilities of a shop steward and with the employer.
“I still have a lot to learn and PAM’s course for shop stewards has been a good networking platform for me. Other shop stewards have given me the confidence to do this work. By nature, I am very curious, and I find laws and regulations fascinating. It is important to always check the law and the collective agreement, and work within those boundaries”, she points out.
Gerstin has four hours per week that she can use for the shop steward’s work. To get in touch with all the company’s workers has proven difficult, as they work alone in different locations and in three cities; Helsinki, Turku and Tampere.
Typical questions that Gerstin runs into concerns working time, salary and breaks. As the schedule can be quite hectic, and cleaning work lasts between 4 and 5 hours at the customer’s place, it is difficult to have time for breaks.
There is hesitation in joining the union among the workers. Union membership is the equivalent of being an activist in some countries. Companies do not employ you, if you’re a union member. The same fears remain when working here. That is why a big part of Gerstin’s job consist of raising awareness about union work in Finland, before asking her co-workers to join.
“My co-workers come from all over the world: the Philippines, Iran, Iraq, Estonia and Finland among other countries. Freska is also bringing workers overseas mainly from the Philippines. Due to our diversity, we communicate in English”.
“I would really like my co-workers to understand the concept of the union and the security that goes hand in hand with membership. I am happy to explain and discuss with them, as it is my job”, she adds.
Recently, a new health and safety committee was elected at Freska. Gerstin is excited to work close with the committee members.
“I want to make sure that things are done according to the law, and that no worker is mistreated at our workplace. This is more essential when there are foreign workers, who do not necessary know their rights”.
Text:: Marie Sandberg-Chibani