Why should I join a union?

There’s a reason why you pay membership fees

“If things are going smoothly at my workplace and there are no layoffs in sight, what’s the point of belonging to a union? Do you end up paying membership fees for decades all for nothing?”
No. Of course, it is great if you never need a union’s unemployment security or legal services. But no matter how good things may seem, a union and central organisations still provide security for their members. They handle matters in the broader context. An individual member is often unaware of the extent to which unions exert an influence on labour legislation and social benefits. Belonging to a union is far more than being prepared for possible unemployment or disputes at the workplace. Being organised brings stability to working life.

Benefits – from safeguarding interests to personal benefits on purchases

Members of Akava Special Branches’ member associations are entitled to superb benefits, beginning with safeguarding interests right through to tangible benefits on individual purchases. Membership entitles you to comprehensive safeguards of your interests, earnings-related unemployment security and the opportunity to have a say on working life through your union.
> Safeguarding interests
> Unemployment security

Not all benefits can be measured in money

There are many aspects of working life that cannot be measured in money; they include several qualitative issues closely linked with the development of working life and labour legislation. Without unions safeguarding interests, it is unlikely we would have five weeks of annual leave, earnings-related unemployment security, the opportunity to take family leaves that are as long as they are now or many other practices associated with working life that we take for granted. Attaining all of these benefits has necessitated decades of persistent collective bargaining and negotiations with employers. Each individual member adds to the union’s influence at the negotiating table.

Scores of benefits worth their weight in gold

The union offers you tangible help by providing useful information on entering into an employment contract, negotiating a salary and interpreting labour legislation. In the event of disputes, Akava shop stewards or contact people, who only assist employees who are union members, are there to give you support. If needed, we can help you with legal aid if a dispute gets out of hand and has to be settled before a court. The union can also help you to get professional liability and legal expense insurance, which is unavailable to private clients, and can amount to tens of thousands of euros.

You are entitled to benefits of monetary value every day. Akava Special Branches arranges courses and professional and regional events, including student events, for its members. The union also publishes the Yhteenveto member magazine and several guides to working life. Your membership card entitles you to considerable discounts on a range of courses, sports activities and services provided by hotels, spas, shipping companies and service stations.
> Member benefits

Multiple benefits for a small membership fee

Member benefits, average per year

Remember that your membership fee is tax deductible. For instance, if your membership fee is at a rate of 1 per cent of your gross earnings and your fee comes to 300 euros a year, your net payment amounts to about 55 per cent of 300 euros, i.e. 165 euros. This means that you receive benefits to the value of 2,086 euros for an annual payment of 165 euros.

> Become a member