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Finnish Musicians Union
Pieni Roobertinkatu 16 FIN-00120 HELSINKI FINLAND tel: + 358-9-6803 4070
The Finnish Musicians Union (founded in 1917) is a trade organization for professional musicians. It organizes some 3.300 members in 25 local branches. The Finnish Musicians Union is a member of The Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) and The International Federation of Musicians (FIM) and The Nordic Musician Union (NMU). Orchestra musicians, soloists and conductors represent approximately one third of the Union membership. The remaining two thirds consists of restaurant, entertainment, jazz and rock musicians. The ballet dancers of the Finnish National Opera are also organized in the Union. Collective bargaining and cultural politics are important aspects of the work of the Musicians Union. So is affecting legislation in various fields relevant to musicians and their work, such as copyright. Individual members are given counsel and assisted free-of-charge for example in contract, tax, copyright and pension matters. If negotiations in conflict situations do not result in a satisfactory outcome, the Union takes care of members legal proceedings and costs. The Union office is staffed by 7 employees. Members have two legal councels available in the Union office. The shop steward for restaurant musicians is available for musicians working in restaurants, hotels and passenger ships to assist in problems related to employment contracts, salaries etc. The shop steward for studio, theatre and touring musicians handles similar matters in these areas. Union members benefit from
In 2009 the membership fee is 1 % of the gross salary plus EUR 6,50 a month to the unemployment fund. For freelance musicians there is a scale of fixed fees based on earnings. Part time musicians pay a membership fee of EUR 10,50 per month. Music students pay EUR 7 per month. The fee of the sick fund is included in the fees above.
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