TU and Suora plan to amalgamate

TU (24.02.2010) The Union of Salaried Employees TU and the Trade Union Suora are set to amalgamate. Both unions have approved an agreement to form a new union, with the intention of becoming fully operational by the beginning of 2011.

The purpose of the amalgamation is to maximise resources and strengthen its position in serving the interests of the rank and file members. The new union, to be named at a future date, will have
over 150,000 rank and file members.

- A larger union means better results for present and future members,
Antti Rinne, the President of TU, claims.

Tarja Lankila, the President of Suora, concurs, and stresses the merits of the new union in similar terms.

- Influence of private sector employees can be best served and safeguarded by establishing a new salaried employee union.

At present, TU represents 120,000 salaried employees in the private sector in industry, construction and services. TU has 46 collective agreements.

Trade Union Suora has 31,000 rank and file members. Most of them work in banks, insurance companies and social security institutions. Suora is a
signatory party in 11 collective agreements.