For many international workers in Norway, the experience of joining a trade union can feel unusual, especially when they come from countries where union membership is rare or even discouraged. With Norway’s high union density and the openness toward union activities, this cultural shift is both eye-opening and empowering. 

Adapting to Norway’s Union Culture

For Vignesh, who originally hails from India, the concept of trade unions was largely unfamiliar. In India, unions are prevalent in government sectors or manufacturing, but they are rare in private industries like IT. 

– In private companies, they won’t encourage you to be a part of a trade union, he explains. 

– Recently, I read that a union for IT workers was starting up in India, but when I was there, it wasn’t a thing.

Upon moving to Norway, however, he quickly saw that union membership is not only common but actively promoted by companies. 

– When I saw a Finansforbundet stall in the office promoting membership openly, I was surprised – I’d never seen a union promoted in the workplace like that. Here, even senior management encourages union membership, he notes.

Vignesh vijayan

Learning about how the union supports employees and knowing that it could help navigate any issues made it easy to join.

Early Impressions of Finansforbundet

Vignesh joined Finansforbundet soon after becoming a full-time employee at Nordea in early 2020. Despite initial unfamiliarity, he found the decision easy, especially after hearing positive stories from colleagues. 

– I once heard a story about a colleague whose salary was revised after the union advocated on her behalf. Stories like these highlighted the union’s value,” he shares.

Since joining, he’s been pleasantly surprised by the benefits and support the union offers. 

– So far, I haven’t needed specific support from Finansforbundet, which is good, but I appreciate the benefits like tax rebates, he adds.

Creating Community: The Role of Cross-Culture ERG

In addition to his union membership, Vignesh also leads an Employee Resource Group (ERG) called Cross-Culture Norway, which fosters community for Nordea employees from diverse backgrounds. 

– Our aim is to create a community where we could have easy access to anything. For example, if a person lands new in Norway, they can just contact us, and we can guide them, he says. 

The group organizes events like Eid and Diwali celebrations, helping celebrate the diversity within the company.

Making Unions More Accessible to International Members

When reflecting on how trade unions in Norway could attract more members from international backgrounds, Vignesh suggests informal gatherings that offer a more personal introduction to union benefits.

– If they organized small events with coffee or snacks just to talk about the union, it would let more people learn about it in a relaxed setting.

He notes that such events could make a big difference in reaching international employees, who might otherwise overlook union stands set up in busier office areas. 

– Sometimes, a quick chat over coffee can be more effective than a formal stand in the cafeteria where people might be rushing by, he says.

The Journey Ahead

As he continues his career in Norway, Vignesh is committed to exploring more of what the union has to offer. 

– I’m happy with my decision to join Finansforbundet. I’d like to participate in more of their seminars and courses, so more resources in English would make that easier for me and others in similar situations, he shares.

For him, the transition from a non-union culture to becoming a fully-engaged union member has been enriching, and he’s encouraging other international workers to discover the same value in union membership.