If implemented, the layoffs at Åbo Akademi University would be a wet rag on the face of the university community – they would not bring a long-term solution
The change negotiations at Åbo Akademi University have ended in disagreement. According to the negotiation proposal, the university is considering an organisational reform and the redundancies of approximately 50 people in order to balance the finances in the longer term, as well as laying off the entire staff in order to reduce costs of 2025.
The Board of the Finnish Union of University Professors discussed the situation of Åbo Akademi University in its meeting on 14 February 2025. In the view of the Finnish Union of University Professors, the situation requires longer-term operational and structural changes.
According to the Union, laying off teaching and research staff would paralyse the operations of the entire university and bring more losses than profits. The teaching and research staff are highly committed to their work. Laying them off during imputed annual leave, which is part of total working hours, would be like a wet rag on the face of the university community.
– Laying off teaching staff would mean that work plans would be changed, and courses would not be held. This is highly undesirable for students, states Teija Laitinen, Chair of the Finnish Union of University Professors.
– If the professoriate were laid off, external funding projects would be delayed and, in the worst cases, obligations towards funders would be breached, Laitinen continues.
Professor Chief Shop Steward Urpo Nikanne is surprised that the Rector has not actively participated in the change negotiations and that the HR Director has led the negotiations on the employer’s side.
– The university community has not been involved in the handling of the matters under negotiation. There has been a lack of openness and interaction, Nikanne assesses the negotiation process.
The Board of Directors of Åbo Akademi University will discuss the situation at its meeting on 17 February 2025.
Further information:
Teija Laitinen, Chair, the Finnish Union of University Professors
teija.laitinen (at) professori.fi, tel. +358 45 657 5757
Urpo Nikanne, Professor Chief Shop Steward, Åbo Akademi
urpo.nikanne (at) abo.fi, tel. +358 50 599 1292