Drivers of three bus companies begin strike in Helsinki region

Stoppage could take several days

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A strike by about 1,300 bus drivers in the Helsinki region began on Tuesday morning. More than half of the buses serving the Greater Helsinki Metropolitan Area are involved in the stoppage. The worst affected is Vantaa, where all of the city’s internal bus lines have come to a halt.
      The strike was called by drivers of three companies which subcontract their services to the municipal and regional transport companies: Concordia Finland, Connex Espoo, and Connex Vantaa. Other bus lines are operating normally, as are commuter trains, the Helsinki Metro, and the tram service.
      Shop stewards of the three companies accused management of making working hour arrangements that best suit part-time drivers and those with short-term contracts. The shop stewards feel that drivers with permanent, full-time positions should have priority.
     
The management side has refused to enter into negotiations to end what it considers an illegal strike. Connex Vantaa shop steward Jori Kopra warned that the strike might last a long time if the management side does not enter into negotiations.
      The employers’ side has sent the matter to the Labour Court, and Hannu Parvela, managing director of the Road Transport Employers’ Union (ALT), says that no negotiations are to be held before the court makes a ruling on the legality issue.
      Timo Räty, chairman of the Finnish Road Transport Workers’ Union (AKT), accused ALT of using the bus transport of the Helsinki region as a testing ground for non-typical employment contracts, which could then be implemented nationwide.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Bus strike planned in Helsinki metropolitan area for Tuesday (8.11.2004)

Helsingin Sanomat