Updated on 21 April at 13:49
The Federation of Professional and Managerial Staff YTN has issued strike notices in the collective agreement dispute concerning universities of applied sciences and simultaneously announced a sector-wide ban on flexibility.
Strike warnings issued by YTN:
- Savonia University of Applied Sciences, the one-day strike will be organised on 16 April, strike warning issued on 1 April
- South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, the one-day strike will be organised on 21 April, strike warning issued on 6 April
- LAB University of Applied Sciences, the one-day strike will be organised on 22 April, strike warning issued on 7 April
- Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, the one-day strike will be organised on 23 April, strike warning issued on 8 April
- Turku University of Applied Sciences, the one-day strike will be organised on 28 April, strike warning issued on 13 April
- Satakunta University of Applied Sciences SAMK, the one-day strike will be organised on 29 April, strike warning issued on 14 April
- Jamk University of Applied Sciences, the one-day strike will be organised on 5 May, strike warning issued on 20 April
- Oulu University of Applied Sciences Oamk, the one-day strike will be organised on 6 May, strike warning issued on 21 April
- Tampere University of Applied Sciences TAMK, the one-day strike will be organised on 7 May, strike warning issued on 22 April
In addition, YTN has announced a so-called ban on flexibility covering all universities of applied sciences as of 8 April 2026. The ban on flexibility includes a ban on overtime, a ban on additional work, a ban on work-related travel during employees’ free time, and a ban on accumulating flexitime balances. The ban on flexibility will remain in force until further notice or until a negotiated settlement is reached for universities of applied sciences. The Trade Union of Education (OAJ) has also announced a corresponding ban on flexibility.
“Our aim in the ongoing conciliation is to find a sensible agreement solution for all parties that secures fair terms and conditions of employment and salaries for staff. So far, the main obstacle to progress has been the clear deteriorations to the agreement pursued by the employer union Sivista,” says Teemu Hankamäki, YTN’s Chair of the Board.
The validity of the collective agreement for universities of applied sciences under Sivista has expired, and a contract-free state began on 1 April. This means that the obligation to maintain industrial peace has ended. However, the current terms and conditions of employment will continue to be observed until a new agreement enters into force.
In the negotiations, YTN is seeking a salary solution focused on a general increase that supports purchasing power, as well as improvements to terms and conditions of employment and to employees’ position. The negotiations are currently continuing under the auspices of the National Conciliator. Several conciliation meetings aimed at finding a solution to the situation have been agreed for both this week and next week. YTN’s interest is to reach an agreement as soon as possible so that salary increases in the sector are not delayed.