Akava - Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland

Akava, the Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland, is a trade union confederation for those with university, professional or other high-level education.

Akava is continuously growing

Akava has more than 30 affiliates with altogether half a million unionised members working as employees, entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals in either the public or private sector. The members join one of Akava’s affiliates based on their field of study, degree, profession or position.

The members of all Akava affiliates typically serve in management or expert positions in fields such as education, technology or medicine. Additionally, Akava has 100,000 student members.

In Finland, approximately 70 per cent of all highly educated citizens are members of one of Akava’s affiliates. Further information

Current issues

08.05.2012 New information on discrimination in the Finnish labor market

A new research report published by the Ministry of Employment and Economy looks into labor discrimination in the Finnish labour market. The report includes an overview of studies on all forms of labor discrimination and a proposal for monitoring model as well as a summary on a field experiment on recruitment discrimination.

04.05.2012 Finns' support for organizing remains very high

An overwhelming majority of Finns regard it as necessary for wage and salary earners to join a union. When asked how necessary it is to organize 46 per cent of the respondents say it to be "very necessary" and another 46 per cent "rather necessary".

16.04.2012 The number of work accidents rose again in 2011

The latest statistics on work accidents reveal a fairly alarming trend. Despite the best efforts of individuals and organizations to reduce the number of work accidents there has been a marked increase in 2011 - up by over six per cent from 2010. And this follows an earlier five per cent rise in 2010.

11.04.2012 PKC's biggest owner considers pulling out due to trade union restrictions at Mexican factory

The Finnish pension insurance company Ilmarinen says it may withdraw its investments from the Finnish auto parts company PKC due to the restrictions being placed on trade union work in their Mexican factory.

03.04.2012 Labour market confederations agree on how to extend work careers by one year

On March 22 labour market confederations were finally able to agree on a substantial set of measures that will extend work careers. Experts estimate that the agreement will extend work careers on average by one year.

02.04.2012 Akava’s Working Life Tour 2012 at the University of Oulu on 4 April

Akava’s Working Life Tour will arrive at the Linnanmaa Campus of the University of Oulu on 4 April.

Opiskelijat Akaverkko

Basic facts

Akava is a politically independent trade union confederation for those with a university, professional or other high level education
Half of the membership works in the private sector, half in the public sector.
Also those with high-level education join a trade union in Finland. More than 80 percent of Akava members have completed at least the lower university degree.
The members join one of Akava’s affiliates based on their field of study, degree, profession or position.
Unionisation has a long tradition in Finland, and it is normal for employees to belong to trade unions in Finland. Approximately 75 per cent of Finnish employees are members of a trade union.
In Finland, labour market organisations have a great deal of influence. Negotiations on salaries, wages and labour legislation are conducted between the government and the representatives of employees and employers organisations, which is referred to as the tripartite system.
Freedom of organisation is a statutory right in Finland. No-one can be coerced to join a union. Employment may not be terminated on the basis of membership in a trade union.
Membership in an Akava affiliate is not dependent on a specific workplace. If you change jobs, you can continue your membership in an Akava affiliate.

More information

Akava general brochure 2010
Akava for students

A Glance at Akava - Representing the highly educated in the Finnish labour market
A Glance at Akava 2011
A Glance at Akava 2011