PAM in brief Service Union United PAM is a trade union for people working in private service sectors. Our union has 190,000 members, two thirds of whom are women. Most of our members work in retail, the hotel, restaurant and leisure industry, property services and security services. We negotiate collective agreements for service sectors. We improve the impact of employees on work, the workplace community, safety at work and business development. We promote democracy, fairness and social security nationally and internationally. PAM safeguards its members’ interests We bring together and unite workers in service sectors. We provide our members with support and security in working life. We negotiate collective agreements for service sectors and monitor their implementation. We influence labour legislation. We promote union representatives’ lobbying and other activities in the workplace. PAM in figures 190 000 members 20 000 new members in 2022 71 % women 25 % aged under 31 2 136 union representatives 117 local branches 33 collective agreements 152 employees Our values Our aim is a society where everyone has the right to work and an opportunity for a safe and good life, and where those in the most vulnerable position are cared for. A safe and good lifeEveryone has the right to a sufficient income, good working conditions, a healthy living environment and well-balanced leisure time. FairnessFairness means equality, non-discrimination, solidarity, mutual respect and freedom. We promote these values in working life and in society as a whole. EqualityWorking life does not treat everyone equally, which is why it’s our duty to defend those in the most vulnerable position. We serve as their voice and shield and strengthen their ability to represent themselves. Sustainable developmentOur aim is a world where people, the environment and the economy are considered equally in decision-making. We work to ensure that people will continue to have the opportunity to lead a full life in a safe and clean environment in the future. Our vision Service sector professionals work in successful and attractive industries. They can affect their work, as well as the decisions made and development carried out in their workplace. Collective agreements determine the minimum terms of employment for all workers in service sectors. This minimum level ensures a sufficient level of income and enables appropriate working conditions. Local agreements further improve terms of employment and working conditions in the workplace. Companies operate in a socially and ecologically responsible manner. Companies accept that all employees, regardless of their profession and nationality, have the right and the opportunity to join a trade union and negotiate their terms of employment. Workers in service sectors have good basic skills and the opportunity to develop and maintain their expertise through training provided by employers. This training is the same for everyone, regardless of the workers’ educational background and status. Workers in service sectors are active members of society. They can rely on the fact that the safety networks in society are comprehensive and effective. An increasing number of people can also rely on a union representative with a good capacity and strong support for their work. Everyone has the right to a sufficient income, good working conditions, a healthy living environment and well-balanced leisure time. PAMin hallinto Governance at PAM Held every four years, the Union Congress is the highest decision-making body at PAM. The Union Congress determines the union’s goals and adopts its action programme. The Union Congress elects The Union President (who also serves as Chair of the Executive Committee) The Vice Chair of the Executive Committee The members of the Executive Committee and the Council At the Union Congress, decisions are made by members of the union who have been elected as representatives before the congress. What happens at the Union Congress? The Union Congress assesses the union’s operations and direction and decides on future activities by setting an agenda of goals. It elects people to serve in the administration and positions of trust in the union. It also deals with initiatives submitted by local branches. Attendees of the Union Congress are elected from among the members The number of representatives at the Union Congress is proportionate to the number of members: one representative for every 600 members in an electoral district or remaining factor thereof. The representatives are elected in the Union Congress elections. All members except student and pensioner members and holders of salaried positions in the union have the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in the elections. The next Union Congress will be held in Jyväskylä on 24 to 26 October 2023. Council The Council exercises decision-making power at PAM in matters that do not fall under the decision-making power of the Union Congress or the Executive Committee based on the rules of the union or the law. The Council decides on: The union membership fee The action plan The budget The discharge from responsibility of the Executive Committee Amendments to the rules of the union The Council convenes twice a year, and its term of office is four years. The spring meeting is held in May–June, and the autumn meeting in November–December. The members of the Council are elected at the Union Congress. They represent members of PAM from different parts of Finland and different professions. Composition of the Council The Council consists of the Chair, two Vice Chairs, 50 members and 10 general deputy members. Each member of the Council has three personal deputy members. The members are elected taking into account the regions, professions and membership structure. Executive Committee The Executive Committee guides the practical work of the union. It is responsible for the progress of the implementation of the decisions made by the Union Congress and for managing the union’s operations. The Executive Committee: Ensures that the operations of the union and its local branches comply with the guidelines decided at the Union Congress and with the current rules. Monitors to ensure that the union’s finances are managed in line with its members’ interests. Monitors developments affecting the union’s members in the labour market and society. Prepares proposals and matters to be dealt with for the Council. The Executive Committee selects the union’s Executive Director and holders of supervisory positions and appoints its Management Group. It is also responsible for the implementation of the Union Congress elections. The Executive Committee has 11 meetings per year on average. Its term of office is four years. Members of the Executive Committee and their election The members of the Executive Committee are elected by the Union Congress. The Executive Committee consists of the Chair (Union President), her or his personal deputy member, 15 members and three general deputy members.If changes need to be made to the composition of the Executive Committee between Union Congresses, the election is made by the Council.The members of the Executive Committee participate in Council meetings and are involved in local planning in their respective regions. Some members of the Executive Committee are also members of the sector commissions in their respective fields. Union President The Chair of the Executive Committee serves as PAM’s Union President. The Union President is elected at the Union Congress, which is held every four years. The Union President is a full-time employee, and a personal deputy member is elected for her or him. The Union President presides over the Executive Committee, which: Is in charge of the union’s operations and finances Appoints the union’s Management Group Is in charge of the union’s collective bargaining Prepares matters for the Council Executes the Union Congress elections and decides on the union’s membership of organisations, with the exception of the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK). Annika Rönni-Sällinen has served as the Union President since 2019. Before that, she served as a negotiations manager at PAM and a department manager at SAK, among other positions. Union rules Service Union United PAM is a trade union for people working in private service sectors. Its name is Palvelualojen ammattiliitto PAM ry in Finnish and Servicefacket PAM rf in Swedish. In the rules, PAM is referred to as “the union”, and its local branches are referred to as “branches”. The union is domiciled in Helsinki and operates across Finland. Its languages are Finnish and Swedish. The language of its minutes is Finnish.
