Staff representatives help others and can expect support from the union to do their job
Sari Suhonen and Celestina Chenar Sohrabi met at the ”Little Parliament” meeting of shop stewards and occupational safety representatives in Helsinki in November. Photo: Eeva Anundi
New staff representatives in particular need a lot of support from the union to do their job. This is the view of three staff representatives who are new to the job this year. They are head shop steward Celestina Chenar Sohrabi, occupational safety representative Sari Suhonen and shop steward Timo Turunen.
You need a lot of information when you’re just starting out
”My route to becoming head shop steward at New Yorker Oy started in the spring. Back then, the co-operation negotiations at our workplace were raising a lot of questions to which we didn’t have answers. I called the union and worked things out. And then the union asked, haven’t you appointed a staff representative? Well, soon after that we organised elections and here I am. I was elected the company’s first head shop steward. We are now negotiating a bunch of things with the employer. I believe the negotiations will progress and we’ll get the basics sorted out. New staff representatives in particular need a lot of support from the union. When you are new to the job, you know nothing at all at first. Luckily I have had fantastic assistance from the regional office! Meetings where you can talk to other shop stewards are important too.”
Celestina Chenar Sohrabi
head shop steward, clothing chain New Yorker Oy
Tools for finding ideas and keeping things running
”I started as the Clas Ohlson occupational safety representative in January. To begin with, I went round the stores in the capital city region and put flyers on the noticeboards. I thought it’s easier for people to contact me when they know my face. I have had positive feedback on taking up the occupational safety rep role. My boss has been supportive, and the head shop steward has helped me. What I need from meetings with staff representatives is tools for finding ideas and running things properly. I have great confidence in the union. If I have a tricky occupational safety case to deal with, I’m sure I’ll get help from the union.”
Sari Suhonen
occupational safety representative, Clas Ohlson clerical employees and
capital city region and Porvoo stores
Insight package for local agreement 
”I started as the shop steward at Onninen logistics at the start of the year. I was in at the deep end in the very first week. I negotiated a local agreement on applying the competitiveness package at our warehouse. I would have liked to have a starter pack for that from the union, because it was all new to me at the negotiating table. Local agreement is a good example of where shop stewards need training. Because the success of agreements at the workplace also depends on the shop steward’s negotiating skills and how well he or she understands labour market issues. I guess local agreements will become more common. This means more responsibility for us shop stewards within the union.”
Timo Turunen
Onninen Hyvinkää logistics
workplace shop steward
Staff representative meetings
in Helsinki
- Kickaround session: Up to five staff representatives go through working conditions or occupational safety issues with union officials. First session 19 January at 1.30 pm, Helsinki-Uusimaa regional office.
- Little Parliament: Larger meeting of staff representatives. Next meeting 19 January, 3 pm at the regional office.
- Question time: Meeting of members of PAM’s executive, members of branch committees and staff representatives. First meeting 11 May, 2.30 pm at the regional office.
- More information: Pam.fi/tapahtumat