The Action Plan for the year 2023

The Association of University Researchers and Teachers at the University of Eastern Finland (ITTE) is a trade union for academics. The union’s members work at universities, research centers, and administration, in the private as well as the third sectors. The common ground for its members is their expertise
obtained through education and experience. The union advocates for members’ salaries, social security, and job security.

ITTE ry as a member association of The Finnish Union of University Researchers and Teachers (FUURT) is also affiliated with the Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland (AKAVA). ITTE ry cooperates with the central confederation of FUURT and its local branches, the central organizations of AKAVA, JUKO, and other trade unions which are active at the University of Eastern Finland. The particularly intensive cooperation is with Information Industry Academics (INA).

ITTE ry enhances its effectiveness by increasing the number of members and by the adequate representation of university staff categories in the organization of the association.

Lobbying

The union monitors members’ benefits by shop stewards and participating actively in the development of the UEF in governing bodies. At the local level, the union endeavors to protect and improve the benefits of doctoral students, university teachers, post-doctoral researchers, university researchers, university lecturers, and other members of the association. Particular attention is paid to the
position of members that are on a short-term contract. The union promotes the employment of its members also outside the university. The association promotes equality. The union influences that research, training, and other activities would be built on an ethically strong basis. The questions relevant to scholarship researchers and international members attract continuously attention.

The communication between members and the board

The board is in contact with its members via e-mails, newsletters, website, and Facebook.

Activities for members

In the year 2023, the union organizes training and leisure events for its members. The objective is to activate members to participate more in various lobbying and other responsibilities. In case members need some particular activities, the board shall decide about it.

The Union for University Researchers and Teachers (FUURT) has now been active in offering new kinds of member benefits. These include e.g. webinars for finding jobs outside academia. ITTE will inform its members actively about union benefits.

ITTE will continue to arrange already traditional gatherings (annual meetings, Wappu, terrace happenings, opening of the academic year etc.)