Labor Minister Satonen and SAK’s Eloranta stood face to face in A-studio – “The situation is very serious” – 2024-03-06 12:50:52

Minister of Labour Arto Satonen (kok) and chairman of SAK Jarkko Eloranta discussed the opening of the labor market node in Yle’s A-studio on Tuesday evening.

Until now, the negotiations with the ay movement and the government have not progressed, because the government has moved forward with its own legislative plan and SAK has opposed the government’s actions with industrial action.

Eloranta said that he had made suggestions to Satose about more balanced solutions to the labor peace issue and local agreements.

– Once they were achieved, we could then move on to negotiations on the labor market model on a bilateral basis. In this way, we would be able to calm down the labor market situation and end the industrial disputes, commented Eloranta.

SAK presented a compromise solution to the government on Tuesday. Eloranta previously said that he considered SAK’s proposals to be a significant welcome.

Satonen replied that he was enthusiastic about the bilateral negotiations of the export-led labor market model, but there is still work to be done in matters such as earnings-related unemployment insurance and local agreements.

– If I understood correctly what SAK presented today, it is not terribly far from the presentation on labor peace submitted to the parliament. With regard to local agreements, a round of opinions is underway, and there is a government proposal on earnings-related unemployment insurance, which is quite advanced, Satonen said.

– The government’s big goals are worthwhile, but the measures do not lead to them on the labor market side. In our compromise proposal, these goals will be handled equally, Eloranta answered.

Maaseudun Tulevaisuus reported on Monday evening that possible new strikes could last up to four days. It has also been confirmed to Iltalehti from labor market sources that some unions may have long strikes.

– Such news is very worrying. It should be seen that the state of the Finnish economy is very serious, and that is why the government is making labor market reforms, Satonen commented on the strike threat.

On the broadcast, Eloranta did not take a position on the SAK’s information conference, which will be held on Wednesday, where new labor market measures will be discussed.

Labor Minister Arto Satonen comments on the labor market situation in A-studio. petteri paalasmaa