Tekijä (19.08.2027 - Heikki Jokinen) Johanna Sandberg from Turku is responsible for the international work at her union branch 437 Turun kemia, and also represents the employees of her workplace in Europe.
Sandberg works at Ursuit, a company producing drysuits for diving and water sports. It is a part of the Belgian Sioen Group, employing 4,500 people in more than 20 countries. For three years, she has been a member of the European Works Council (EWC) of the Sioen Group.
A European Works Council is a statutory cooperative body between European companies and the employees of a company. It is obligatory when a company has at least 1,000 employees in the EU or EEA countries and at least 150 employees in two member states.
Her first EWC meeting was in Amiens, France.
- During meetings, both English and French are spoken, but simultaneous interpretation is the norm. It has been interesting to meet people from various parts of Europe and even to ponder a little about the differences between countries.
One year ago, Sandberg was elected to lead the international work of her union’s local branch.
Branches can elect a person to be responsible for international work. The task can be defined according to the needs of the branch. It could include joining international campaigns, organising events, or working with international advocacy or solidarity work.
- We are only at the beginning, but in my view, there is interest in international issues in our local branch. We have invited SASK to talk about their activities around the world.
The Trade Union Solidarity Centre of Finland (SASK) is a solidarity and development cooperation organisation of the Finnish trade union movement. The Industrial Union is one of SASK’s 37 member organisations.
Especially important for Sandberg is the situation of Myanmar textile workers. She has met Khaing Zar Aung, leader-in-exile of the Industrial Workers’ Federation of Myanmar.
- It is important that her message is heard here, too. There have been small steps in the right direction, like when, for example, H&M left Myanmar.
Union helps in many ways
At the moment, around one hundred local branches have appointed someone to take care of international work.
- Practically every local branch has members in companies that conduct international business. However, only a quarter of the local branches have elected a person to be in charge of international work, says Emmi Levander of the union international unit.
She stresses that any member can be elected for this task and the work can be shaped according to their own wishes and the needs of the branch. No special know-how or knowledge of languages is necessary. One's own interest is enough.
Local branch members can elect the person in charge of the international work any day. The union organises a yearly three-day basic course in international work. There is also a longer course available.
- Local branches and workplaces can order tailored training on international issues. Topics could be, for example, international advocacy or terms of work in various countries, compared with Finland.