Bus and truck drivers threaten to go on strike later this month

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A strike involving Finnish truck and bus drivers threatens to start on Sunday February 19th. In order to open lines of communication between the opposing parties in the dispute, National Conciliator Juhani Salonius invited the representatives of the Finnish Transport Workers' Union (AKT) and the Employers' Confederation of Road Transport (ALT) into his office at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
      Even though no miracles occurred during the negotiations, which lasted less than two hours, a dialogue between the two sides of the dispute was at least initiated. The parties went over some general issues including the strike limits, the length of the contract period, as well the list of issues where they are in conflict. The talks are to be resumed at the office of the National Conciliator today, Thursday.
     
The Finnish Transport Workers' Union (AKT) warned last Friday that the strike is set to start at 6 p.m. on Sunday February 19th. On the same weekend, schoolchildren are to start their skiing holidays in most parts of Southern and Southwestern Finland, as well as on the southwest coast of Finland. The holiday arrangements are staggered by region.
      Apart from the old sore points between the two sides, including the use of part-time drivers, several new issues are also on the negotiating table. Moreover, both parties have proposed some changes to the old collective labour agreement.
      The strike would halt a major part of bus and truck transport around Finland, involving a total of 11,000 employees, representing one-third of all Finnish bus and truck drivers.
     
The strike warning covers 54 bus and coach operators as well as 21 road haulage companies. In addition, the strike would close about a hundred cargo terminals as well as 12 service points of the Finnish passenger and freight services provider Matkahuolto in the largest cities around Finland.
      In the Greater Helsinki area, the strike would affect the lines run by bus companies Concordia, Connex, and Pohjolan Liikenne.
      The collective labour contract involves all professionals working in the field of transportation, including bus and truck drivers, employees at coach stations and cargo terminals, as well as several other businesses connected to these. The contract expired at the end of January.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Expanded bus strike leads to suspension of incomes talks (17.11.2004)
  Drivers of three bus companies begin strike in Helsinki region (9.11.2004)
  Bus strike planned in Helsinki metropolitan area for Tuesday (8.11.2004)

Links:
  The Finnish Transport Workers Union AKT
  The Employers Confederation of Road Transport (ALT) (WEB site in Finnish only)

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