Collective agreement negotiations for private social services sector begin 3 November – improving pay and wellbeing at work among key priorities
As part of the social and health sector negotiation organisation Sote ry, SuPer together with the Finnish Association of Private Care Providers Hali will begin collective agreement negotiations for the private social services sector on 3 November. The current agreement expires on 31 December 2025.
The private social services sector employs around 72,000 employees. The negotiations are being conducted on behalf of Sote ry by SuPer, Erto, and Tehy. SuPer is the largest employee organisation in the industry.
The SOSTES agreement is implemented in private social sector service units, such as private housing services for the elderly and disabled, mother-and-child homes and shelters, home services, and various social and healthcare organisations.
“It is essential to ensure that private social service workplaces remain attractive to care sector professionals before the next nursing shortage hits. These employees perform the same duties as those in the public sector, and we will need them more than ever as our population ages,” says SuPer’s Contract Negotiator Jukka Parkkola.
Members call for improved wellbeing at work
In addition to provisions on pay and working hours, SuPer will emphasise in the negotiations measures that promote coping and wellbeing at work. These themes have strongly surfaced in recent member surveys.
“Given Finland’s demographic outlook, it is crucial that employees can continue working until retirement age – and even beyond. The working conditions within the private social services sector therefore represent a broad societal issue,” Parkkola says.
SuPer also aims to clarify the SOSTES agreement to make its provisions easier for both employers and employees to interpret. Parkkola is also calling for a major overhaul of the pay system.
“Pay structures must be motivating and reflect employee skills and competence. An encouraging pay system is an essential part of a healthy work community.”
Government labour policy changes undermine the care sector
The Finnish government has made several labour policy changes that weaken the position of employees. These changes diminish the appeal of the care sector and pose a threat to the livelihood and wellbeing at work of SuPer members.
“Defending against these policy setbacks is just as important as pursuing improvements in the collective agreement negotiations,” says SuPer’s Chief of Negotiation Pia Zaerens.
Publicerad in English 5.11.2025.
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