What is Tatte?

University research and teaching in Finland has become more and more international. New contacts, contracts and projects have brought new scholars and specialists to work in Finland. This has meant new challenges for example for trade unions which have previously worked first and foremost at national level. This is also true of the largest university sector union, the Finnish Union of University Researchers and Teachers (FUURT) of which Tampere University Association of Researchers and Teachers (Tatte) is a member.

One of the main challenges is in providing information to and consultation for foreign members and applicants. For this purpose, we are taking steps to bring out basic material on members' rights and duties. Some of the material is rather general by nature, as more specific and detailed information can be obtained from the Tatte representatives. Some of the matters also vary according to whether or not one is an EU citizen.

Tatte, together with with FUURT and its other member associations, watches over the legal and social interests and pay development of persons engaged in research, teaching and information work. This it does in cooperation with other Unions working within the same field. For collective bargaining, negotiating and lobbying, FUURT is a member of AKAVA, the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland, one of the three central labour organisations.