työehtosopimusneuvotteluja

Työehtosopimus, literally a collective bargaining agreement, is a formal agreement negotiated between trade unions representing workers and employers or employers' associations. In Finland, such agreements determine many key terms of employment for workers covered by the agreement, often across an entire sector or within a given company.

A central feature is that a työehtosopimus sets minimum standards for wages and salary progression, working hours, overtime compensation, paid holidays and sick leave, job security provisions, layoff procedures, and pension and social benefits. It may also address safety and health at work, training opportunities, notice periods, and grievance procedures. The terms apply to employees who fall within the scope of the agreement, which can be sector-wide, company-wide, or a subset of workers.

Negotiations are conducted by relevant unions and employers’ associations. Some agreements are extended to cover all employers in a sector by public authority if the signatories agree or if the government extends applicability, even to non-signatory employers. A työehtosopimus is legally binding for the parties that signed it and, when extended, for all employers within the sector.

Durations are defined in the agreement; it may run for a fixed term and be renegotiated periodically, or it may be renewed automatically until replaced. Breaches are typically addressed through internal grievance procedures, and unresolved disputes can be taken to the Labour Court or arbitration in Finland.