Film and television production workers in Finland will cease work on 8 March after the Union of Journalists of Finland (UJF) and the Union for Theatre and Media (Teme) called a strike for the first time in decades. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) stands in full solidarity with the striking media workers and supports their demands for improved working conditions and higher wages.
Negotiations between the UJF and the employers’ association Palta at the office of the National Conciliator for the collective agreement for film and television production have stalled after two months. While a strike notice was issued on 21 February, accompanied by a ban on overtime, social dialogue broke down again on 5 March when Palta rejected a compromise proposal.
Mental health problems among workers in the sector require immediate action to improve their well-being. According to the union, almost two-thirds of film and television workers suffer from psychological symptoms; working days regularly exceed 12 hours, holidays are short, and working hours are constantly changing.
UJF accused Palta of seeking pay increases significantly below the established benchmark: “The employers’ proposal for future increases to the pay scale would be more than two percentage points below the general rate, with the overall pay increase impact nearly one percentage point under the benchmark. This is simply unacceptable,” said UJF Head of Advocacy, Petri Savolainen, who also condemned Palta’s communication strategies aimed at undermining the strike by incentivising employees to work on Saturday.
“I fully support my Finnish colleagues who are striking this Saturday. Employers must recognise the invaluable contributions of workers and provide them with the best possible working conditions, including wages that align with the sector. This strike is not just a fight for better working conditions, it’s a defence of the fundamental values of democracy and a free society. If we do not unite now, we will have nothing to defend tomorrow. Solidarity and courage – the fight is not won by silence, but by unity and resistance!” said EFJ President Maja Sever.”
Source: EFJ
