The Autumn Union Meeting of the Union of Research Professionals met on Saturday, 8 November in Helsinki to decide on the activities and finances for 2026. The meeting was attended by representatives from 15 Member Associations with a total of 123 votes.
In his opening speech, Antti Pajala, President of the Union, emphasised the local negotiations on the principles of drafting work plans at universities as a result of the spring collective bargaining negotiations. According to him, there seems to be widespread discontent with the employer’s desired salary system.
Executive Director Nina Hahtela highlighted the key issues for the coming year, which included the Union’s regularly conducted member survey and the higher education and research vision work of the Ministry of Education and Culture, in relation to which Research Professionals is conducting its own work. Preparations for the parliamentary elections in 2027 will also be strongly reflected in the Union’s actions, as well as the implementation of the membership acquisition plan.
The Union Meeting approved the 2026 action plan and budget and elected three new members to replace those who have resigned from the position. The new members are Jorma Laaksonen (ATTE), Virpi Kultanen (INA), and Thomas Hackman (HUART). Riku Kärnä, KHT Authorised Public Accountant, was named as auditor and Kari Toiviainen, Lic.Sc. (Econ.), as operations inspector.
The Union Meeting also approved a motion for the Board to draw up a national statement demanding universities to end institutional co-operation with Israel and any actors clearly working with Israel.
Since 2020, the Union Meeting of Research Professionals has been primarily organised in two languages, enabling representatives to choose to speak Finnish and/or English. The discussions have been simultaneously interpreted from Finnish into English as well. In this respect, Research Professionals is a pioneer both within the trade union sector and the field of organisations.