Industrial action in Finland is set to continue as the strike is informed to end in the morning of 8 April. The strikes that began March 11 were extended and are now due to conclude on Monday 8 of April, in accordance with the information given by the unions. It’s the second time the stoppages are prolonged by the unions.
“The Executive Board of the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) today decided to continue an ongoing national programme of political strikes for a further week. The Executive Board will meet again to review the situation and any further continuation of industrial action after Easter,” said the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) on March 28.
“We have sought a fair and moderate approach from the Government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, but the Government has turned a deaf ear to employee organisations and is still seeking to implement several industrial policy goals with negative consequences for employees. Many of these goals will have no impact on employment or on the balance of public finances,” says SAK President Jarkko Eloranta.
The ongoing industrial action has already affected operations in all Finnish ports.
The container liner giant CMA CGM said yesterday in an update that “CMA CGM Group has the regret to inform you that the political labour actions in all Finnish ports are impacting our services. Regrettably, the strike started March 11th is extended further to April 7th midnight.”
The container liner reported that it has to adjust its rotations and its vessels have to omit Finland ports. As a result, import cargo to Finland onboard have been or will be discharged in Tallinn, Estonia.
In its latest update on March 27 Viking Line, in a cargo information, said that the political strike in Finland will continue for a week between 1. – 8.4.2024.
“According to current information at hand, Viking Line’s vessels will operate normally also during this strike between 1. – 8.4.2024. However, cargo units without drivers are not handled in Helsinki or in Turku port – the strike is informed to end on Monday 8.4.2024 at 6:00 o’clock,” the company noted.
SAK President Jarkko Eloranta stresses that the unions remain willing to call off the strikes at any time if the Government shows some appreciation for the concerns of employees.
“The Government has been uncaring and deaf to the concerns of ordinary people, with another round of brutal social welfare cuts now due to take effect on 1 April. These and other cuts will plunge an additional 100,000 adults and 17,000 children into poverty,” Eloranta pointed out.
