Organisation

Trade union organisation

The highest decision making body of the union is the congress, which convenes every five years. The congress deputes are elected through secret ballot. The congress elects the union council with 33 members, the executive committee with 17 members and the chairman of the union.

The union is comprised of 79 local branches. You become a trade union member by joining the local branch at the work place. Shop stewards at work place level are central in the union activities. According to the agreement reached with the employer association shop stewards are provided free time for union activities in accordance to the number of workers. For example, if there are more than 50 workers at a work place the leave is 8 hours per week. Should the number exceed 421 the shop steward is completely liberated from work.

SEL has staff at the central office and in 7 regional offices located around the country. Together with the separate Food Workers’ Unemployment Fund the number of staff amounts to around 60 persons.

UNION ORGANISATION

SEL Congress

The Congress, which convenes every five years, is the supreme decision-making body of the union. It evaluates past performances and foreseeable future actions. The Congress elects the union’s Chairperson, the Council and the Executive Committee.

The next Congress will be held in 2012.

SEL Council

The Council convenes at least twice a year. It holds the highest decisive authority of the union between two Congresses. It decides issues regarding collective agreements, approves the unions’ annual operating plan and budgeting, salary administration and annual reports. The Council consists of 33 members that constitute a balanced representation regionally and sectorally.

SEL Executive Committee

The Executive Committee governs according to the statutes and the decisions made by the Congress and the Council. The Executive Committee convenes on a monthly basis. Sub-committees act to support the Executive Committee.
The union Chairperson acts also as the Executive Committee Chairperson.

The union central office is located in Helsinki and there are local offices in Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Lahti, Kuopio, Vaasa and Oulu.