The Negotiation Organisation for Public Sector Professionals (JUKO) has accepted the proposal by National Conciliator Anu Sajavaara to resolve the university labour dispute. Pro and JHL, as well as the employer organization Finnish Education Employers (Sivista), have also accepted the settlement proposal.
With the acceptance of the proposal, the 24-hour strike that was to affect the University of Helsinki and the University of Turku on May 27th has been cancelled, as all parties announced their approval on Wednesday.
Salaries will increase by a total of 7.8% over the nearly three-year agreement period (May 21st, 2025 – March 31st, 2028). The increases follow the general line set by the export industry. A significant portion of the raises will be paid as general increases to all university employees.
After more than three months of negotiations, JUKO emphasizes the importance of securing general line salary increases for university staff.
“A real test ahead for universities”
Regarding the teaching hour caps that protect teaching and research staff from excessive workloads, JUKO stresses that universities as employers now face a real test.
The proposal includes elements that enhance the possibility of locally agreeing on suitable work entities for staff and the employer, aiming for a more flexible model to combine teaching and research work.
If concerns about increased workload arise during the trial, the matter will be addressed locally without delay.
Resolving local agreement issues requires mutual will and trust at the workplace. JUKO will monitor how local agreements develop in universities.
The employment terms and salaries of 35,000 employees at Finland’s 13 universities are negotiated by JUKO, Pro, and JHL, and the employer organisation Finnish Education Employers (Sivista).
University strikes are rare – JUKO thanks all participants
JUKO thanks everyone who participated in, supported, or prepared for the strike. Support for the negotiations and negotiators has been crucial.
Strikes in the university sector are rare. Before the Tampere strike, the last university strike occurred seven years ago at the University of Helsinki.
JUKO’s negotiators | Head of Collective Bargaining Katja Aho (JUKO), University Advisory Board Chair and Executive Director Tarja Niemelä (Finnish Union of University Professors), Special Adviser Hanna Tanskanen (Trade Union of Education, OAJ), Negotiations Manager Petri Toiviainen (Social Science Professionals), and Negotiations Manager Reetta Kuosmanen (The Union of Research Professionals).
Teaching hour caps | Universities may implement a trial lasting at least two academic years
- There is an opportunity to launch a trial in accordance with the supplementary protocol of the collective agreement starting on 1st August 2026. Duration: academic years 1st August 2026–31st July 2027 and 1st August 2027–31st July 2028.
- The provisions of the supplementary protocol do not prevent the continuation of existing effective practices or require them to be changed.
- If/when a university implements the trial, the current principles of work plans will be reviewed locally and confirmed through an agreement if necessary. The goal is to support local agreements for the benefit of both employees and employers, to create practical everyday solutions for university workplaces, and to promote sustainable working conditions.
- The principles of the trial and the percentage limits for teaching duties are defined in the supplementary protocol and must be followed unless otherwise agreed locally.
- If no local agreement is made on the principles of work plans, or if the employer and shop stewards disagree on the need to revise practices, the university or its unit may, by employer decision, pilot a new approach to total working hours for at least two academic years (1st August 2026–31st July 2028). Changes during the trial are possible but must be agreed upon locally.
- During the total working hours trial, the principles concerning work plans and maximum contact teaching hours stated in Chapter 5, Section 4, Paragraph 4 of the collective agreement will not apply.
- Note: When preparing a work plan, university staff must always ensure that the plan includes all work components.
- Trial timeline: Preparation (autumn 2025), launch (early 2026), monitoring (spring 2026 and autumn 2027).
New name of the general collective agreement: Yliopistojen työehtosopimus (Universities’ Collective Agreement)
Agreement period: May 21, 2025 – March 31, 2028
Salary increases during the period: Total 7.8%
Main negotiators: JUKO, Trade Union Pro, Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL and employer organisation Finnish Education Employers (Sivista)
Members of JUKO-affiliated unions work at universities in roles typical for highly educated professionals, including research, teaching, administration, and leadership positions.
Salary increases by year
2025
- General increase (yleiskorotus) of 2.5% from July 1st
2026
- General increase of 2.2% from June 1st
- Local increment (paikallinen erä) of 0.3% from December 1st (employer decides distribution)
2027
- General increase of 2.0% from June 1st
- Local increment of 0.4% from December 1st
- Structural increment (järejstelyerä) of 0.4% from January 1st
JUKO unions will provide more detailed information to their members, shop stewards, and strike leaders.
- JUKO’s university sector unions will provide their members with more detailed information about the contents of the agreement.
- JUKO will organise a briefing on the agreement for the sector’s shop stewards and, exceptionally, also for strike leaders.