Työehtosopimuskiista

Työehtosopimuskiista refers to a dispute or conflict arising from the negotiation, interpretation, or application of a collective bargaining agreement (työehtosopimus) in Finland. These agreements are legally binding contracts between employers or employers' organizations and trade unions that set terms and conditions of employment, such as wages, working hours, holidays, and other benefits.

Disputes can occur when parties disagree on what the agreement means or how it should be implemented. This might involve disagreements over salary increases, changes to working conditions, or the adherence to specific clauses within the contract. Such disputes can arise between an employer and a union representing employees, or sometimes between different unions.

The primary mechanism for resolving työehtosopimuskiista is through negotiation and discussion between the involved parties. If direct negotiation fails, the dispute may be escalated to conciliation or mediation. In Finland, the National Conciliator (valtakunnansovittelija) plays a significant role in attempting to broker agreements in major labor disputes.

If all attempts at peaceful resolution are exhausted, the dispute can lead to industrial action. This can include strikes (lakko) by employees or lockouts (työsulku) by employers, which are intended to put pressure on the opposing party to reach a settlement. The aim of resolving these disputes is to maintain stable industrial relations and ensure fair working conditions for employees.