Lauri Lyly to Lead the SAK

The 56-year old Tampere native led the collective bargaining unit of the SAK for four years, before which he served as President of the Finnish Electrical Workers’ Union.

Outgoing President Lauri Ihalainen left his position in the middle of the current delegates' term, paving the way for Lyly to step in as interim President until the end of the term, or until the next delegates convention in 2011. Ihalainen had led the SAK for 19 years.

Following the council meeting Ihalainen said that he will consider whether or not to seek the position of State Mediator, and added that he would announce his decision next week.

Experience the Decisive Factor

Following the vote of the union’s Social Democratic party group, Lyly said that it was probably experience that tipped the scales in his favour. He added that the contest for the presidency had not left a void in the organization and that the SAK would move forward in unity.

Closely beaten out of the president’s chair, Vanhala said he had expected an even tighter contest. He agreed that the weight of experience counted more than a desire for change on the part of the voters. The runner-up added that the entire union would now throw its support behind the new president.

Common Ground for Union Central Organisations

In his acceptance address, Lyly suggested a “division of labour agreement” for labour market organizations, which would allow for more consensus on major labour contract issues. He said this would free up unions from see-sawing on terms and conditions of labour contracts.

Lyly called for round table discussions by central trade union organizations before the autumn to agree on outstanding labour market issues, such as job security, business safeguards and policies on workers’ purchasing power.