The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions, usually referred to by the acronym SAK (Finnish: Suomen Ammattiliittojen Keskusjärjestö, Swedish: Finlands Fackförbunds Centralorganisation, FFC) is the largest trade union confederation in Finland. Its member organisations have a total of more than one million members, which makes up about one fifth of the country's population.
The other two Finnish trade unions confederations are the Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees (STTK) and the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland (AKAVA). The most important negotiating partner of SAK is the Elinkeinoelämän keskusliitto/Finlands Näringsliv (the Confederation of Finnish Industries, EK), which represents the majority of Finnish employers.
SAK has been challenged by Yleinen työttömyyskassa, an independent unemployment insurance institute, which charges lower fees than some of the trade unions, while not providing the other services of a Finnish trade union.
The current SAK was founded in 1969 as the Finnish Federation of Trade Unions (SAK 1930–1969), controlled by SKDL and TPSL, and the Finnish Trade Union Federation (SAJ 1960–1969), controlled by SDP, settled their disputes and merged. The SAK, however, considers itself the continuation of the first Finnish central organisation, the Finnish Trade Union Federation (SAJ 1907–1930).
Construction Trade Union
Finnish Aviation Union IAU
Finnish Cabin Crew Union SLSY
Finnish Electrical Workers' Union
Finnish Food Workers' Union SEL
Finnish Locomotivemen's Union
Finnish Musicians' Union
Finnish Post and Logistics Union
Finnish Railwaymen's Union
Finnish Seamen's Union SM-U
Finnish Social Democratic Journalists' Union
Finnish Transport Workers' Union AKT
General Union of Journalists YLL
Industrial Union TEAM
Metalworkers' Union
Paperworkers' Union
Railway Salaried Staff's Union
Service Union United PAM
Theatre and Media Employees in Finland TeMe
Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL
Coastguard Union
Finnish Customs Officers' Union
Finnish NCOs' Union
Finnish Prison Officers' Union
Union of Foremen in Commerce
Wood and Allied Workers' Union
Suomen Autoalantyöntekijäin Liitto (1969–1970) merged into AKT
Auto- ja Konealan Unioni AKU (?–2003) merged into Metalworkers' Union
Auto- ja Kuljetustyöväen Liitto (1969–1970) merged into AKT
Hotel and Restaurant Workers' Union (1969–2000) merged into PAM
Ilmakuljetusalan Ammattiliitto (1969) merged into IAU
Suomen Ilmakuljetus Unioni (1969) merged into IAU
Noble Metal Workers' Union (1969–1974) merged into Metalworkers' Union
Järjestötoimitsijain Liitto JTL (–1996)
Finnish Miners' Union (1969) merged into Metalworkers' Union
Chemical Workers' Union (1993−2009) merged into TEAM
Kemian Työntekijäin Liitto (1970–1993) merged into Chemical Workers' Union
Kiinteistötyöntekijäin Liitto (1969–2000) merged into PAM
Rubber and Leather Workers' Union (1969–1993) merged into Chemical Workers' Union
Kunnallis- ja sairaala-alojen työntekijäin liitto (1969–?)
Municipal Workers' Union KTV (1969–2006) merged into JHL
Suomen Laivanpäällystöliitto SLPL (1972–1989) resigned, moved to STTK
Finnish Glass and Porcelain Workers' Union (1968–1994) merged into Chemical Workers' Union
Liikealan ammattiliitto (1987–2000) merged into PAM
Liiketyöntekijäin Liitto (1969–1987) merged into Liikealan ammattiliitto
Finnish Rural Workers' Union (1969–1993) merged into Wood and Allied Workers' Union
Mielenterveys- ja kehitysvamma-alan liitto (1941–1981) merged into KTV
Finnish Bricklayers' Union (1969–1971) merged into Construction Trade Union
Paperiteollisuuden työntekijäin liitto (1969–?)
Finnish Police Union (1945–1984) resigned 1984
Postiliitto (1945–2005) merged into PAU
Wood Workers' Union (1969–1993) merged into Wood and Allied Workers' Union
Harbour Workers' Union (1969–1970) merged into AKT
Finnish Divers' Union (1969) merged into Construction Trade Union
Teknisten- ja Erikoisammattien Liitto Tekeri (1969–2000) merged into PAM
Suomen Tekstiililaitosmiesten Liitto (1968–1989) merged into Teva
Textile Workers' Union (1969–1970) merged into Teva
Textile and Clothing Workers' Union Teva (?–2004) merged into Chemical Workers' Union
Journalist Union (1969–?)
Finnish Workers' Union (1969–?)
Valtion Virkailijain Liitto (1969–?)
Valtion Yhteisjärjestö VTY (?–2006) merged into JHL
Finnish Media Union (1969–2009) merged into TEAM
Virkamiesten Yhteisjärjestö (1969–?)
Scandals
SAK has received a lot attention for spending its members' money to mudslinging on behalf of Social Democratic Party. SAK's 2007 television advertisements were found so defaming that SAK had to withdraw the campaign. Even some SDP members expressed "disgust".
SAK has been convicted of sexual discrimination in high court. As of 2008, police is investigating financial fraud committed by SAK's Kiljava school.
