Tehy: Strike in early childhood education in major cities – Law on export-driven labor market model not acceptable

Tehy, the trade union for social care, health care and education professionals in Finland, has decided on a two-day strike in early childhood education in major cities. Through this political industrial action, the union opposes the government's legislative preparations regarding the export-driven labor market model and other labor-related proposals by the government.

The work stoppage affects all early childhood education units in the cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Turku, Tampere, Jyväskylä, Kuopio, Oulu, Joensuu, Pori, Rovaniemi, Kauniainen, Vaasa, as well as the municipality of Mustasaari, in both the public and private sectors.

The strike will commence on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 00:01 and conclude on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at 23:59. Officials are excluded from participating in the industrial action.

– The government's plan to enshrine the wage gap for caregivers in legislation is unprecedentedly egregious. It is unacceptable to us," says Tehy's chairperson, Millariikka Rytkönen.

Tehy remains willing to negotiate with the government, employers' representatives, and employee groups on alternatives for a new labor market model.

The last time Tehy opposed the inclusion of the export-driven wage model in the law through a political strike was in all early childhood education units in the Helsinki metropolitan area from January 31, 2024, to February 1, 2024.

For further information: Tehy chairperson Millariikka Rytkönen, contact via special assistant at tel. +358 400 540 005, [email protected]