The co-operation negotiations of the Finnish Meteorological Institute have ended

The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) will reduce tasks in research, technical, administrative, operational, and observation functions. As a result of these changes, the employment contracts of up to 16 individuals will be terminated. Efforts will be made to reassign employees under the threat of dismissal to other positions within FMI, in accordance with statutory obligations, potentially reducing the final number of dismissals.

Cost savings will also be achieved from streamlining operations, termination of fixed term contracts and retirements. The observation networks maintained by FMI will be downsized, and some observation stations will be discontinued during 2025-2027. Additionally, the marine weather forecasts produced for the Finnish Broadcasting Company’s radio channels are planned to be automated during 2025.

”The cooperation negotiations were conducted in a very constructive spirit with our shop stewards. It is very regrettable that we have to dismiss skilled and competent personnel. There is a strong need for our data and services in the society and in business. We want to meet this need also in the future”, says FMI’s Director General Petteri Taalas.

The co-operation negotiations, which began in October, aimed to identify ways to achieve the savings target set for FMI. FMI faces a permanent budget cut of approximately €6.1 million by 2027. Of this amount, about €4.4 million must be achieved by 2025. The savings target set for FMI is part of the government’s productivity program. At the start of the negotiations, it was estimated that the reduction need would affect up to 30 employees. FMI has approximately 760 employees, of which over half work in research functions. The funding for research comes mainly from external sources.