International activities and cooperation
As members of the EU, decisions made by the EU significantly impact Finnish working life. SuPer’s international advocacy aims to monitor and anticipate the effects of international agreements and decisions on Finland and the work of SuPer’s members. SuPer influences the development of social and healthcare services as well as early childhood education and care, the employment terms of its members, the utilization of their skills, and the recognition of qualifications through committees, working groups, networks, and partnerships.
In an increasingly globalized world, ethical recruitment has become a crucial theme in the social and health care sectors. The importance of ethical recruitment is substantial both for SuPer members working abroad and for workers relocating to Finland. SuPer actively monitors these developments.
PSI – Public Services International
The International Trade Union Federation, Public Services International (PSI), is an international union founded in 1907 for public sectors. It comprises over 700 trade unions from 154 countries and represents more than 30 million public sector workers. PSI’s activities include active collaboration with other international organizations, aiming to develop unions, promote international solidarity, equality, equity, and diversity. SuPer closely follows PSI’s activities and participates in PSI congresses, which are held every five years.
PSI – The global union federation of workers in public services
Sectoral Social Dialogue Committees under the European Commission
At the EU level, social dialogue refers to the interaction between social partners, specifically employees and employers. Social dialogue committees consist of equal representation from both employees’ and employers’ representatives.
SuPer is actively involved in influencing, for example, the social care and healthcare sectoral dialogue committees. These committees are led either by the social partners’ representatives or, upon request, by representatives from the Commission. Each committee establishes its own rules of procedure. European sectoral social partners issue between 30 to 50 joint opinions annually. It is crucial for SuPer to actively participate in the preparation of these statements.
EPSU – The European Federation of Public Service Unions
The European Public Service Union (EPSU) is the European federation for public service unions. Founded in 1978, EPSU represents 187 public sector unions and approximately eight million public sector workers across Europe. Its goal is to promote the role and status of public services in Europe. EPSU also represents Europe within PSI. SuPer influences EPSU through its participation in the permanent committee of the social and healthcare sector and in various working groups and networks. European cooperation is crucial to ensuring that we effectively influence the position of SuPer professions in the labor market.
EPSU – The European Federation of Public Service Unions
EPN – The European Council of Practical Nurses
EPN, established in 1980, is an organization for European practical nurses. Its membership includes nursing unions or equivalent organizations from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, and Finland. The goal of EPN is to collaborate with practical nurses in member countries and to promote common educational objectives and other professional issues.
NOFS – Nordens Offentliganställdas Fackliga Samorganisation
NOFS (Nordens Offentliganställdas Fackliga Samorganisation) is the Nordic Public Sector Trade Union Organization that coordinates the activities of 42 Nordic public sector unions. Its purpose is to influence the activities of both the Public Services International (PSI) and the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU). SuPer collaborates continuously with NOFS, for example, through joint preparations for European-level meetings. Together, as Nordics, our opportunities for influence are stronger.
Nordens Offentliganställdas Fackliga Samorganisation
Fipsu network
Since April 2019, public sector trade unions have carried out international advocacy as a network. At the same time, the EU association of public sector trade unions, FIPSU ry, ceased its operations. The network includes SuPer, Tehy, JHL, Pro, Jyty and OAJ.
The goal is to influence EU-level decisions more effectively: the network is faster and more versatile in advocacy than the association. The unions have better opportunities to influence EU-level decisions when working together. This work is crucial because EU decisions have a significant impact on Finnish working life.
FinUnions
FinUnions is the joint representation of Finnish central organizations SAK, STTK, and YTN in Brussels. Its task is to ensure employee advocacy in Brussels and to provide Finland with information on EU decision-making related to working life. You can subscribe to the representation’s newsletter at the bottom of FinUnions’ homepage.