Sture Fjäder challenges Finland’s trade union culture

Which book are you currently reading? 

I have been reading three books lately. I collect stamps and I am reading a book on Prussian stamps. I also read one on trade union politics by Risto Korhonen at Kansan Uutiset (a leftist newspaper), ‘Hakaniemen Voimavuodet’ (‘Hagnäs' strong years’) about the 1980s and 90s and what happened when the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions was divided between social democrats and communists. I also enjoy war history and read a book on the 1944 battles against Russia.

What is your hidden talent?

My father, grandfather and great grandfather were all timber men and joiners. I am not as handy as them, but if there is anything in the genes I guess I can do a bit of DIY, even if it takes a bit longer.

Which work tool do you appreciate the most in your office?

It must be my iPad for emails and my mobile phone for texting and calls. I am constantly on the move, in taxies, on trains or on planes – if I’m not in a meeting of doing lobbying.

As a child, what did you want to become when you grew up?

My mother told me I once watched a truck stop in the street in little Hangö while one or two men with shovels were moving gravel. I wanted to do that too. But I don’t actually remember. My mother and father wanted me and my sister to go to university, which was typical for a working class family I guess. For a while I wanted to be a politician, and when I was 17-18 I joined Swedish Youth (the youth wing of the Swedish People's Party of Finland) and in 1980 I took part in municipal elections as a 22 year old non-socialist.