Pay increases in rescue services match the general level, and the pay programme continues

The terms and conditions of employment for rescue services are covered in appendix 7 of the general collective agreement for the welfare sector (HYVTES), which was approved by JHL’s Union Council on 5 May. The new agreement covers a period until the end of February 2028, and its pay increases amount to 7.37%. Most of the pay increases are across-the-board increases (also known as general raises) that are paid for all employees who are covered by the agreement. The pay programme of the municipal and welfare sector continues and brings further 1.8% pay increases in addition to the pay increases of the collective agreement.

The Union Council of Trade Union JHL approved the negotiation result concerning appendix 7 of the HYVTES collective agreement in a meeting on 5 May. Appendix 7 contains the provisions for the technical sector.

We achieved in this agreement many negotiations goals that are important for JHL members.

Elaboration of compensations

In future, working time according to special exemption can be agreed locally if the working time exceeds 40 hours. This opens up the possibility for agreeing on a working time model and its compensations. Working time of more than 40 hours without a compensation becomes a thing of the past. The working time provision is first made for a fixed term.

Working time of more than 40 hours cannot be applied to work that is done from time to time within 24-hour working time. This can be agreed otherwise with a local collective agreement.

The provisions that concern fire fighters of contractual fire brigades are elaborated as well. In future, the members of contractual fire brigades will receive overtime compensation when they are called in to emergency response work, provided that they have a primary full-time employment relationship with the wellbeing services county. This only applies to those whose have a primary job in the service of the wellbeing services county.

Pay increases are on the general level

The pay increase funds of the HYVTES appendix 7 have to be used in full to the pays of that appendix. This is an important point for pay development.

The new agreement period is a little less than three years and ends at the end of February 2028.

The pay increases of the appendix follow the general level.

The agreement period is two months shorter than for example that of the technology industry, and therefore the total sum of pay increases looks slightly smaller. However, when the duration of the agreement period is considered in the calculation, the pay increase per month is at the same level as in the industrial sectors. In other words, the pay increases follow the general level.

The collective agreement pay increases of the year 2027 are tied to the agreements of the technology industry. If the collective agreement of the technology industry employees is terminated before the third year and the collective agreement pay increases of these employees change, the pay increases of this appendix will change as well. This would not affect those pay increases that are part of the pay programme.

Three working groups operate during the agreement period

The negotiation team of appendix 7 will discuss general matters raised by the parties according to the principle of continuous negotiating. A pay system review working group works on a new level pay system for employees covered by this appendix. The working group reviews the bonuses that are used in the appendix.

A working group for developing the working time of fire and rescue services analyses and develops a new form of working hours. The group’s assignment includes also questions on two-shift work and analysing the effects of absences from work.