Finnair has cleared most of luggage backlog caused by Wednesday's surprise strike

Baggage staff returned to normal work on Thursday

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Most of the luggage left behind at Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport as a result of Wednesday's strike was delivered to customers on Thursday. The remaining backlog of luggage should be sorted out during the weekend, Finnair promises.
     
The surprise walkout by employees of the Finnair ground handling subsidiary Northport began at three o'clock on Wednesday afternoon.
      Northport workers returned to work normally on Thursday. Most of Thursday's Finnair flights also took off on schedule.
      According to Finnair Communications Officer Taneli Hassinen, because of the work stoppage, between 700 and 800 pieces of luggage remained at Helsinki-Vantaa on Wednesday.
      Delivering these suitcases will delay cargo, as luggage takes priority over cargo.
      Finnair will deliver all backlogged items to the addresses given by passengers without extra charge, explains Tero Vauraste, the head of Northport. The expenses of those customers who choose to collect their luggage from the airport will not be compensated, Finnair points out.
      Northport loaders returned to work normally on Thursday morning. According to Vauraste, discussions with workers are taking place, but no actual negotiations are in progress.
      "No documented disputed issue has been put forward", comments Vauraste.
     
Personnel shortages and a disagreement over night shift workers' taxi fares being paid by the employer have been listed among the reasons for the walkout. "Other issues that the workers have been irritated with have also surfaced throughout the summer", explains Finland's Air Transport Union (IAU) Chairman Rainer Hakala.
      According to Hakala, the loaders' job descriptions are clearly defined, but in the summer workers have been shifted from one assignment to another. "Indoor workers, for one, have been assigned to work outside in the rain without appropriate rainwear."
      Wednesday's strike also slowed down mail deliveries between Southern and Northern Finland. Two flights between Oulu and Helsinki that would have carried mail were cancelled on Wednesday night.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Strike hits Helsinki-Vantaa Airport - flights may still be delayed today (5.8.2004)

Helsingin Sanomat