The Union Meeting decided on statutory matters and issued a statement on scientific freedom.
The Spring Union Meeting of Research Professionals met remotely on Friday, 23 May to decide on statutory matters and discuss the current issues of the Union. The meeting was attended by representatives of the sixteen Member Associations of Research Professionals. Simultaneous interpretation of the meeting from Finnish to English also made it possible for people with different language backgrounds to participate.
In his current review, Antti Pajala, President of Research Professionals, stated that his first half of the year was spent defending different issues. The difficult collective agreement negotiations that began in February were not concluded until this week. Exceptional organisational measures had to be taken to accelerate the negotiations in the form of a day-long strike by Tampere University on 7 May.
“Although the outcome is not the best possible one for us, and far from perfect, I firmly believe that the agreement is, realistically speaking, the best we could have achieved in this situation.”
Despite the Union’s active advocacy work, the decisions of the Government’s mid-term review session resulted in unfortunate and contradictory news for universities. The core funding of universities will be weakened, even though the goal is for half of our labour force to have a university degree.
“It appears that state funding is being transferred to research in different ways, while teaching work at universities seems to be less fashionable at the moment. The core funding was cut pretty significantly. In practice, this means that funding will increasingly be subject to political guidance”, Pajala pointed out.
Positive development in the number of members
With regard to activities in 2024, Executive Director Nina Hahtela stated that the implementation of the Union’s new strategy was initiated within a challenging operating environment. The Government realised extensive amendments that will weaken working life legislation, the rights to strike, and social security. The entries in the Government Programme and racism discourse created threats for the development of competence and work-based immigration.
Research Professionals’ advocacy work was carried out actively both alone and together with stakeholders, especially in reaction to the implementation of the Government Programme. The 2022 member survey and the 2024 survey for early career researchers served as a good foundation for the advocacy work.
Despite the challenges, the year was successful from both an operational and financial point of view. The positive development in the number of members showed that the Union of Research Professionals is perceived as an even more important and interesting community.
Hahtela thanked the dedicated and driven Board, personnel, and active association members for their work.
“Together, we strengthen the prerequisites and conditions for science and research – and we will continue to be the best possible community for research professionals”, she stated.
Statement on scientific freedom
The Union Meeting also issued a statement highlighting concerns about the narrowing of freedom regarding science and research. The scientific community has become alarmed by recent phenomena.
“Scientific freedom and university autonomy are strongly linked,” said Paula Silvén, Vice President of Research Professionals.
The Spring Union Meeting confirmed the financial statements for 2024 and granted exemption from liability to the 2024 Union Board.
Pekka Pietilä, a doctoral researcher and Chair of the Association of Researchers and Teachers of Jyväskylä (JYTTE), was elected as Chair of the Union Meeting and Miia Ijäs-Idrobo, Senior Adviser, as secretary. Sanna Hoikka and Elisa Rantoharju were elected to be vote counters and Thomas Hackman and Sanna Rantakömi were chosen to examine the minutes.