Updated on 20 May at 15.50
OAJ has announced a strike at all universities of applied sciences on 28 May in connection with the supervision of entrance examinations. However, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has, following a proposal by the National Conciliator, decided to postpone the strike so that it may begin no earlier than 11 June 2023. YTN has not issued a corresponding strike notice, and therefore the OAJ strike does not apply to members of YTN unions. Members of YTN unions will work normally on that day.
On Monday, 11 May, the National Conciliator issued a conciliation proposal in the labour dispute concerning the universities of applied sciences. On 13 May, YTN and OAJ approved the proposal, but Sivista, representing the employers, decided to reject it. As Sivista rejected the conciliation proposal, no collective agreement can enter into force and industrial action will continue. Read more
Ongoing industrial action:
YTN has issued several strike notices. You can find them here. The one-day strikes will be organised, unless a new collective agreement is reached in conciliation before then. The Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ) has also issued a strike warnings with the same content. YTN has declared a so‑called ban on flexibility covering all universities of applied sciences as of 8 April 2026. The ban on flexibility is in force for an indefinite term.
Current negotiation situation
The collective agreement negotiations were referred to conciliation on 1 April due to strike notices issued by YTN and OAJ. Since then, conciliation has taken place several days a week, and the work continues at an intensive pace. As a rule, the parties meet with the conciliator on a daily basis, unless there is a need to take a break in between, for example if certain issues require further clarification or consultation with background groups. Conciliation meetings typically last several hours per day. The aim is therefore to actively seek a resolution.
Background:
Negotiations on the nationwide collective agreement for universities of applied sciences have not resulted in an agreement, and the collective agreement expired on 31 March 2026. Negotiations have continued throughout the beginning of the year, but issues related to contractual texts and the salary solution remain unresolved. The employer side, represented by Sivista, has pursued objectives that would weaken terms and conditions of employment, and its unwillingness to negotiate has made the talks challenging. YTN has presented concrete proposals for solutions and has been prepared to make constructive compromises in order to reach an agreement.
There is currently no valid collective agreement in force in the sector. However, there is no immediate cause for concern regarding terms and conditions of employment. The provisions of the expired collective agreement will continue to be applied on the basis of the post binding effect until a new agreement has been concluded. The post binding effect does not, however, cover the obligation to maintain industrial peace. Various industrial actions are therefore permitted in order to accelerate the collective agreement negotiations.
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