On 7 May 2025, the workers at Tampere University strike to expedite the collective agreement negotiations that have become stuck because of the employer’s unwillingness to compromise on key issues for the workers. We at the University of Helsinki fully support our striking colleagues in Tampere.
In the university sector, workers and employers have historically managed to find common ground during the negotiations and striking has been a rarely needed last resort. This time, however, despite our best efforts the employer side seems to have fully embraced top-down managerialism and centralization of power to advance their own agenda, not paying any mind to how their demands would negatively affect wellbeing and workloads of university workers who are already in precarious positions.
It is time to show the power of collective bargaining and demonstrate our willingness to support the few who strike for the good of all. Like the workers in Tampere, we do not accept one-sided deterioration of our rights. We rally in solidarity on 7 May at 16:30 in front of Porthania to send a message to both the employer and to the picket lines in Tampere. Helsinki stands with you.
Tommi Mäklin
Vice-Chair, HUART Board