“PAM stood by me during difficult times and justice was done”

“I received help from PAM when my employer denied me sick leave while my husband – the father of my children – was in intensive care after a serious injury.

In a moment where the future felt completely uncertain – even whether my partner would survive – I felt powerless to fight the employer alone. The financial burden was also entirely on my shoulders.

Thank you so much PAM for standing by me during those moments, and for making sure justice was done. The sick leave and salary for the absence were paid properly.”

Katariina, commerce sector

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I was confused about the holiday bonuses I received and didn’t get any wiser after speaking with my employer.

I contacted the union, and we looked into it together. It turned out my employer had not taken into account any supplements when calculating the holiday pay. At the same time we discovered that, as a part-time employee, my working hours should have been adjusted to reflect the yearly average, since I had consistently worked more than stated in the contract.

I asked the union to send me the collective agreement criteria for holiday bonus by email, so I could forward it to my employer and their payroll officer. Eventually, I received the money I was owed.

Without the union’s support, I would have lost a part of my holiday bonus. The payment ended up being over €2,000 when the employer had to pay missing amounts from previous holiday bonuses as well.

Marita, cleaning sector

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“When I resigned from my job, my previous employer didn’t want to pay me for my unused holiday. The situation changed thanks to PAM, who contacted my employer and got them to pay.”

Roberto, hotel sector

The union is also a valuable community

PAM has supported me at work as a trade union, but also given me a lot during my free time. Truly wonderful encounters and stories. You can be yourself, and everyone is welcome – whether it’s at an event or just visiting the office.

So I’ve also received social support during hard times, in addition to the protection the union offers.”

Annikki, commerce and restaurant sector

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“Since joining PAM, I’ve received thorough training for free, as well as answers and support from PAM’s skilled staff on things I’ve been wondering about. I’ve met like-minded people who share my values and care about workers’ rights.

Most of the people I met through the training are now part of my everyday life as friends.”

Pipsa, restaurant industry

The support is invaluable in situations of dismissal

“At one workplace, they suddenly wanted to get rid of me. Just a few months earlier, my work had been praised and I was promised a raise. Suddenly, I was a bad worker.

I was furloughed for production and financial reasons, and right after that, I was dismissed – illegally. They only paid me two weeks’ salary for the notice period. Even before the layoff, I had talked to the union, and after that, they started handling my case. My former employer refused to provide any documents that were requested, so we took the matter to court. 1.5 years later, the lawyer contacted me and asked if we could settle. I accepted their offer of six months’ salary as compensation. PAM handled my case well – I was satisfied with the help I received.At one workplace, they suddenly wanted to get rid of me. Just a few months earlier, my work had been praised and I was promised a raise. Suddenly, I was a bad worker.

I was furloughed for production and financial reasons, and right after that, I was dismissed – illegally. They only paid me two weeks’ salary for the notice period. Even before the layoff, I had talked to the union, and after that, they started handling my case. My former employer refused to provide any documents that were requested, so we took the matter to court.

1.5 years later, the lawyer contacted me and asked if we could settle. I accepted their offer of six months’ salary as compensation. PAM handled my case well – I was satisfied with the help I received.”

Marika, restaurant industry

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“I have received answers to my questions from PAM, but the most important help came when I was dismissed illegally. That support was invaluable! We settled the matter with my former employer thanks to PAM’s help. Since then, I’ve regularly joined PAM’s training and events.

Thank you for all these years!”

Hanna, commerce sector

One can recommend PAM to a colleague with pride

“I really needed legal help when I had issues with my job alternation leave and compensation.
Without an expert, I wouldn’t have known how to file the appeal or claim the compensation based on the correct laws. I can’t even imagine life without the union’s support.

I’m proudly a union girl!”

Päivi, restaurant industry

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“I got help from PAM right away when I felt I had been mistreated at work. I was given advice and help in sorting out the situation at the workplace. I believe that without PAM’s support, I wouldn’t have received the right kind of help.

PAM is my everyday safety net at work – it has been for as long as I’ve been a member. Of course, even when unemployed, I’ve received financial support through PAM. I’ve proudly recommended PAM to my friends and colleagues.”

Sanna, commerce and restaurant sector

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“In 2008, things got serious when change negotiations began. PAM answered our worried calls. Without them, we would not have received impartial information or support about our rights during the process. When we were handed our termination letters, we got advice on how to deal with the unemployment fund, and PAM helped us check our final payslips for extra hours and supplements.

That first change negotiation was only the beginning. I went through four more rounds in different shops of the same chain. Honestly, I would have been completely lost without the union’s support.

Over the years, some people have said to me that joining a union isn’t worth it. But when I tell them my story – about how I was supported and received good advice – many realise that being in a union really is worth it. I have a reliable and secure support system.”

Tuula, commerce sector

The stories are published with first names only, but the PAM magazine editorial team knows each person’s identity.

Text: Pauli Unkuri