Survey suggests hardening of employers' attitudes in recent years
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Finns perceive that demands by employers and their attitudes toward the trade union movement have grown harder in the past two years.
According to an opinion poll commissioned by Finland's main trade union confederations and conducted by TNS-Gallup, 39% of citizens feel that the demands of employers' organisations and their attitudes toward the trade union movement are excessively severe. Only three percent felt that they are too conciliatory.
Attitudes of trade unions were seen as too tough by just 15%, and 22% said that they are too conciliatory.
The results of the poll would suggest that the people are increasingly wiling to accept strike action as a way of pushing for reforms.
Industrial action was most easily accepted in situations in which an employer violates laws or labour contracts - 89% of respondents were in favour of strike action in such a situation. In situations in which an employer unilaterally worsens working conditions, strike action is approved by 87%, and in situations in which negotiations do not succeed, 78% felt that strike action was justified.
Last year's incomes agreement was seen as necessary for the overall situation of the country by 72%. However, there was some criticism of the content of the agreement: many said that the pay hikes should have focused more on low-paying fields. Employers were seen to have been the main beneficiaries, and the wage increases were generally seen as inadequate.
Helsingin Sanomat
