Construction Trade Union threatens strike at nuclear plant construction site

Dispute over union officials' access

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The Construction Trade Union has threatened to stop work at the construction site of Finland's fifth commercial nuclear reactor. A dispute has erupted between the union and the power company TVO over the granting of access to the site for union officials wanting to inspect the enforcement of the conditions of the present labour contract.
      Discussions on the issue are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, and if they are not successful, work at the Olkiluoto site could stop later in the week.
      Kyösti Suokas, second chairman of the Construction Trade Union, says that he expects the talks to be successful, but warns that if they are not, a strike will be implemented rapidly. He also believes that support from other unions will be forthcoming; discussions have already been held with the Transport Workers' Union (AKT) over possible action at Finnish harbours.
     
On Tuesday, the Construction Trade Union complained that its officials were being prevented from entering the construction site.
      "On Tuesday it was revealed that it is only possible to get in at the invitation of the companies", Suokas says.
      The union's organisational secretary Jukka Asikainen and regional chief Ismo Mansikka were turned away at the gate as they were trying to enter the building site to meet with Timo A. Kallio, the union's intermediary at the site.
      Suokas said that the union cannot accept such a decision. There are hundreds of foreign workers at the site, and this is expected to increase to more than 1,000. As Suokas sees it, only the Construction Trade Union can protect their interests well enough.
      The union has two representatives at the building site - Timo A. Kallio and occupational safety representative Jukka Lindgren. Suokas says that they cannot monitor all aspects of work at the construction site on their own, and that therefore, union officials need to have access to the site without a specific invitation from the companies in question.
     
The head of the project, Martin Landtman of TVO, says that long-term passes are available only to workers at the construction site, as well as to state officials, such as representatives of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK).
      "We have a legal obligation to act in this manner", Landtman emphasises.
      However, STUK official Petteri Tiippana says that TVO can grant long-term passes to anyone it wishes - including trade union representatives - if they meet certain conditions, and if there is a sufficient need.
      The conditions for a pass include a drug test and a background check, as well as half a day's orientation on the construction site.
      When TVO's Landtman was called again, he said that stricter practices came into effect when the earth-moving phase ended and the actual construction phase began.
      The Construction Trade Union's Mansikka has a different view: "Apparently the question is one of cultural differences. German and French companies see the trade union movement as an enemy, and cannot conceive that it could be a partner."


Previously in HS International Edition:
  French company to construct nuclear reactor buildings in Olkiluoto (24.3.2005)

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