Shop steward support in the municipal sector

A comprehensive network of shop stewards

In the municipal sector, the members of Akava Special Branches’ member organisations are represented by the shop stewards of the Negotiation Organisation for Public Sector Professionals JUKO. JUKO has shop stewards in all municipalities and federations of municipalities.

The shop steward helps in matters related to the employment or service relationship and only represents those who are members of the union.

The shop steward acts with JUKO’s mandate

The shop steward representing the members of Akava Special Branches’ member organisations acts with the mandate of our negotiation organisation JUKO. The shop steward can be a member of our union or some other Akava union. In many cases, the shop steward represents members of multiple Akava unions.

The members of Akava Special Branches member organisations work in municipalities’ library, museum, culture and leisure departments, as well as the municipal administration. It is important that our members are represented by a shop steward who is familiar with these fields.

Where can I find the shop steward’s contact details?

The contact details of the JUKO shop steward for your workplace can usually be found on the workplace’s website, intranet, personnel bulletins or notice board. You can also ask your supervisor, HR or the specialists of Akava Special Branches for the contact details.

Be active and ask if

• it is unclear who is the shop steward representing you.

Be active and exert influence if

• your professional group does not have a shop steward
• you have disputes concerning your own terms of employment or pay
• there are shortcomings or problems that concern your professional group or workplace.

You can influence problems related to an employment or service relationship

• by discussing the matter with colleagues
• by asking your supervisor
• by talking to the shop steward
• by contacting the union’s advisory service concerning employment and service relationships to obtain assistance on interpreting the agreement and labour legislation.

Members should keep in mind that

• you must report to the JUKO shop steward if you pay the union membership fee yourself
• the shop steward is automatically informed of employees whose union membership fees are collected by the employer.