The parties have agreed not to exercise the option to terminate the collective agreements. The agreements will remain in force for a third year, and the wage increases agreed for 2027 will be implemented in accordance with the agreements.

Finnish Food and Drink Industries’ Federation ETL, Finnish Food Workers’ Union SEL, Trade Union Pro, and Professional Dairy Association MVL have agreed that the collective agreements in the food industry will continue for a third contract year. The solution brings stability and predictability to one of Finland’s largest industrial sectors, its companies, and tens of thousands of employees.

The collective agreements concluded in spring 2025 include a provision allowing the parties to assess the industry’s economic and employment outlook during the agreement period, as well as the achievement of the objectives recorded in the agreements. Based on this assessment, the parties had the option to decide whether the agreements would continue into a third year.

At the beginning of September, the parties agreed not to exercise the option to terminate the collective agreements. As a result, the agreements will remain in force for a third year, and the wage increases agreed for 2027 will be implemented in accordance with the agreements.

The collective agreements for food industry employees between SEL and ETL will remain valid until 31 January 2028. The wages, salaries and salary tables of all food industry workers will be increased by 2.4% by a general increase on 1 May 2027 or at the beginning of the pay period starting after that.

– The continuation of the collective agreements provides companies and employees with predictability for the future. The long contract period also contributes to stability in the development of the sector, employment, and investments, ETL, SEL, Pro, and MVL stated in a joint press release.

The lengthy agreement period provides the parties with a strong foundation for continuing cooperation and developing working life across the industry’s workplaces. There are many shared challenges to address, including the availability of skilled labour, the sector’s attractiveness and employee retention, skills development, and responding to the needs of a changing world of work. These issues are central to the future of the entire industry.

ETL, SEL, Pro, and MVL emphasize the importance of long-term labour market cooperation based on trust. – The continuation of the agreement period gives companies and employees the opportunity to look ahead together and build the future of the Finnish food industry on a stable foundation. Food is created through people, work, and cooperation, the organisations conclude.