The union and the union representative bring security and support to the workplace.
Coworkers who are AKT members and the union representative at work bring the union perspective into the everyday life of the work community. Union membership and the union representative’s support mean security, support and community for members. Together we are stronger – the union makes working life safer, fairer and better.
The union representative and union members work together to ensure that collective agreements and laws are complied with in the workplace. At the same time, they make sure that everyone has fair working conditions. When employees work together and are informed about important issues in working life, this alone prevents problems arising in the employment relationship.
However, if you encounter problems at work, AKT membership means that you are not alone and you will receive help – whether it is a salary dispute, layoff or dismissal.
The union representative is elected by AKT members – (s)he is a negotiator, supporter and defender of employees. The union representative acts as a bridge between the employer and personnel and ensures that the agreed rules of the game are implemented. Employees receive help with everyday workplace issues and in change situations.
A union representative’s words carry weight when (s)he has the support of other members. When members are behind the union representative, (s)he has a strong mandate to negotiate with the employer on workplace issues. Equally, (s)he is better equipped to monitor the implementation of the collective agreement and labour legislation in the workplace.
The union representative has two important tasks in the workplace: advocacy and strengthening the position of the union.
AKT arranges training for union representatives, for which the employer is obliged to pay a salary. This means that union representatives have access to training during working hours and do not have to pay any costs themselves.
A union representative has increased protection against dismissal based on the collective agreement and the Employment Contracts Act. This also applies to election candidates during the union representative election process. A union representative is allowed to use a certain amount of working time for his/her duties.
Who can be elected?A member of AKT who is in an employment relationship with their employer and is an EU or EEA citizen can serve as a union representative. A supervisor or work organizer cannot serve as a union representative.Who elects a union representative?All members of the union in question who work in the same workplace are eligible to vote. However, if it is a workplace with a single employee, the election cannot be held.The term of a union representativeThe term of a union representative is two years. In practice, the term is from the first day of an odd-numbered year to the last day of an even-numbered year, for example, 1.1.2025–31.12.2026.
As a member, you will receive insurance at a lower price and a professional liability insurance. You can rent great holiday homes in Northern and Southern Finland at member-only prices. Discover the benefits now.