All White-Collar Agreements in the Chemical Industry Finalized

The boards of the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland and the Trade Union Pro have today, February 27, approved the negotiated agreements concerning white-collar employees in the chemical industry. These include the white-collar agreement for the chemical sector, as well as agreements for the footwear and leather industry, the goldsmith industry, the brush and paintbrush industry, and Fiskars Finland Oy Ab. Additionally, in a separate process, agreements for white-collar employees in the glass and ceramics industry and the rubber industry have been approved. The new collective agreements are for three years, with the possibility of termination in the final year.

The agreements cover approximately 10,500 white-collar employees.

Wage increases under the agreements amount to a total of 7.8 percent over three years. The cost impact over the contract period is 8 percent, with a company-specific portion allocated each year at the employer’s discretion. As with blue-collar workers, white-collar employees primarily have the option to negotiate their annual wage increases locally at the workplace (including the amount, timing, and implementation). If no local agreement is reached, wages will be increased through a general raise and a company-specific portion.

This round of collective agreements also introduced changes to paid family leave. Going forward, both parents will receive 32 weekdays of paid parental leave. Additionally, modifications were made to travel allowance distance limits, adjustments to sick pay provisions, and revisions to workforce reduction procedures. The apprenticeship model for laboratory technicians, introduced in the previous contract period, has now been made a permanent nationwide model instead of a temporary trial.

Negotiations on the white-collar agreements were conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere from the outset. This provides an excellent foundation for continuing numerous joint industry development initiatives.

FURTHER INFORMATION

White-Collar Agreement for the Chemical Industry:
Minna Etu-Seppälä
Director, Labor Market Affairs
+358 40 778 0182

White-Collar Agreement for the Rubber Industry:
Juha Teerimäki
Chief Legal Counsel
+358 43 8500928

White-Collar Agreement for the Glass and Ceramics Industry:
Miira Kaukolinna
Legal Counsel
+358 44 3224726

White-Collar Agreement for Fiskars Finland Oy:
Jaana Neuvonen
Senior Specialist
+358 40 580 3447