In practice, cooperation negotiations and change negotiations mean the same thing. The public sector uses the term ‘cooperation negotiations’, whilst the private sector uses ‘change negotiations’. Such negotiations may cover issues like staff reductions, temporary layoffs, shifts to part-time work or other changes affecting the status of employees.
If negotiations are initiated at your workplace in the social care, health care and education sector, you should first find out what changes your employer is planning and whether they will affect you. Stay tuned to communications from your employer and your union representative, and do not hesitate to ask your union representative for advice if you have any concerns about your own situation.
Cooperation negotiations in the public sector
In the public sector, matters to be addressed in cooperation include changes that affect the status of staff. Our working life guidebook provides information on the issues addressed in cooperation and the stages involved in the cooperation negotiation process.
Read more about cooperation negotiations (in Finnish).
Change negotiations in the private sector
The term ‘change negotiations’ is used in the private sector. These negotiations may address issues such as dismissals, temporary layoffs and shifts to part-time work.
