In the autumn, the wood processing company Koskisen started company-level collective bargaining negotiations with the Industrial Union and Trade Union Pro, and the negotiations have reached an outcome. The new company-level agreement will be valid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2025.
The agreement guarantees a peaceful course of work and applies to both hourly-wage employees and salaried employees paid monthly wages in the sawmilling and panel businesses. The agreement covers around 600 employees.
The negotiations were conducted in a positive spirit, and the parties boldly implemented entirely new solutions. The new agreement provides for bargaining at the company level. Co-operation between personnel and the employer will expand as the chief shop steward joins the expanded Executive Board and all employees will be able to elect their representative from among the members of the unions connected to the agreement.
“The new agreement was negotiated from scratch with new ideas. By combining two collective agreements of more than 80 pages, we were able to create a clearer and simpler document of only 40 pages,” explains Koskisen’s Director of HR and Communications Minna Luomalahti.
“The agreement is a fitting combination of old and new solutions. From the employees’ perspective, the agreement’s terms of employment correspond to the current collective agreement in the mechanical forest industry while also securing the positive development of purchasing power,” says Jyrki Alapartanen, Head of wood products sector at the Industrial Union.
As new elements for personnel, the agreement includes a variable performance bonus and expanded opportunities for paid family leave. The new agreement also encourages training through the granting of more comprehensive rewards for degrees and qualifications. Furthermore, the agreement allows more flexible working hour arrangements and the use of external workforce.
The negotiation outcome has been approved by the boards of the unions.
Additional information:
Minna Luomalahti, Director of HR and Communications, Koskisen
+358 40 5534 332, minna.luomalahti@koskisen.com
Jyrki Alapartanen, Head of wood products sector, Industrial Union
+358 40 587 7563 jyrki.alapartanen@teollisuusliitto.fi