Finland Times

According to the newspaper, at least a part of the STTK unions are planning to opt out of the merger, so STTK will remain its own central organisation. Originally, the merger would have ended both SAK and STTK.

Among those opting out is Tehy. Tehy Chairman Rauno Vesivalo said the plans to merge do not arise out of a desire to form a new covenant. According to him, some of the SAK unions have not truly been able to separate from partisan politics.

The move would result in 1.7 million members for the merged organisation. The aim is to make decisions on the merger in late spring and begin operations of the new organisation next year.

STTK Chairman Antti Palola told the Helsingin Sanomat that this is a matter of individual unions, where STTK has no say.

“We have discussed the matter, and based on that discussion, the new organisation will not be as large as planned,” Palola said.

STTK’s member associations discussed the issue yesterday. The government is scheduled to discuss the matter at a seminar in April.