Membership benefits
PRESS CARD
Your press card is your Union of Journalists’ membership card. The card is updated each year with a sticker, posted to you, extending the card’s validity. The card for student members is similar to the regular press card, except that it carries the words ‘MEMBERSHIP CARD’ in place of the word ‘PRESS’.
The press card is not a discount card, and it should not be used without good reason to accrue benefits.
You can apply for an international press card from the office of the Union for Journalists. There is a charge for the international press card, and the card has to be renewed after two years. The international press card is not available for student members.
The Union Magazine JOURNALISTI
The Finnish Union of Journalists publishes the mainly Finnish language trade journal Journalisti. The paper extensively defends freedom of speech, the principle of freedom of information, the right to criticism and the plurality of the media. Journalisti aims to be the country’s leading forum for dealing with the professional issues of journalism.
The paper fulfils the role of overseer of the interests of workers in editorial and programming spheres and as the Union of Journalists’ organizational journal.
UNION INSURANCE POLICIES
The union’s subscription fee covers three insurance policies for members. Since 2009 the insurance company is Turva.
The Union insurance covers member’s free time and free-time journeys abroad and some domestic travel. The travel insurance provided by the union does not cover luggage insurance.
There is a twofold insurance covering professional liability and legal expenses. On the basis of liability insurance, compensation can be paid in the event of personal or material damage caused in the course of work. Insurance covering legal expenses covers the compensation of such expenses incurred in the course of work. A written consent from the union is needed in order to have recourse to insurance covering liability and legal expenses.
The insurance covers also personal and material damage during union activities.
MOUNTAIN LODGE AND UUTISTUNTURI
The Union of Journalists owns two lodges in the Saariselä holiday resort.
The first, Mountain Lodge, has a well-equipped kitchen, recreational area, plenty of extra space, separate sauna and six bedrooms accommodating from one to four people. No pets allowed.
Nearby, in Uutistunturi, there is a holiday residence equipped with three six-person rooms. No pets allowed.
You can find out about reservations from the sales service at Saariselä Tunturi Hotel. Further information is available from www.saariselantunturihotelli.fi, or by calling (016) 68 111 or faxing (016) 668 771. The union does not handle Mountain Lodge or Uutistunturi bookings, but its website has information on prices.
VIERUMÄKI HOLIDAY RESIDENCE
The union has two holiday apartments located at its residence at the Vierumäki recreational centre, south of Heinola. Both apartments can accommodate six people and both have their own sauna. Pets can be brought to one of the apartments.
Bookings for winter and spring stays (Friday-to-Friday) must be made in the autumn, and summer and autumn stays in the spring. Journalisti magazine and the union website contain information on booking schedules, vacancies and prices.
Bookings are handled by the union office, from which booking forms are available by phoning (09) 6122330 or by printing and completing the on-line form on the union website.
VIERUMÄKI GOLF
The union has shares in Vierumäki Golf club, which allows for four games a day. Guests at the union’s holiday residences have priority in using the gold course. See the union website for further details.
UNION SUPPORT
The Union of Journalists may agree to cover a member’s medical expenses, if the member faces particularly severe financial difficulties.
People who joined the Union of Journalists, the SAL or the RTTL before 1968 are entitled to receive funeral assistance. This amounts to €420 for 2008. Further information is available from the union office. Tel: (09) 6122 330.
RECREATION ALLOWANCES
Each autumn the Union’s board disburses recreation allowances, or holidays, at Tunturimäki and Vierumäki. The selection of disbursements is made taking into consideration social welfare factors and activity in the union. Application deadlines are announced on the union’s website and in Journalisti magazine.
FUEL DISCOUNTS
Teboil grants individual union members a 2-cent membership discount on petrol and diesel. It also has a 5% discount on lubricants and LPG. The credit card account charge is €1.35 per bill. The credit card can be applied for from Teboil garages. Applications require a copy of a valid union membership card.
OTHER BENEFITS FOR JOURNALISTS
Many businesses and companies grant discounts or other product or service benefits to journalists. Unlike the union’s membership benefits, these are not based on union membership but on being employed in journalism.
The usual perks include discounts on rail and coach travel. Matkahuolto long distance coaches give a 30% reduction on domestic travel on producing a Union of Journalists’ press card. To be sure of your discount it is best to buy tickets in advance.
Viking Line offers union members special prices on its cruises. Benefits for members cover all cabin occupants as long as one of them is a union member. You should present your membership card when showing your ticket and at port. There are also special prices on working trips for people traveling regularly.
The Union of journalists does not recommend that members use their professional position to acquire personal benefits.