Helsinki cargo harbours remain shut down by offshoot of bus strike

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A strike by workers at the Port of Helsinki kept the city's cargo harbours shut down on Thursday. The stoppage was called by the Finnish Transport Workers’ Union (AKT) to back demands of striking bus drivers working for the private companies Connex and Concordia, which drive regional routes in the Helsinki area.
      Also affected by Tuesday’s decision were chemical transport services by ADR-Haanpää. Earlier the strike action had spread to bus services in five Finnish cities, and drivers of Helsinki City Transport (HKL) are also considering joining the fray.
      Harbour workers in Helsinki did not load or unload ships. However, lorries were able to drive on and off passenger and cargo ferries. Members of the Finnish Seamen’s Union are supporting the striking transport workers by refusing to do any work in harbours that is covered by the action taken by the Transport Workers' Union.
     
Most of Finland’s imported food comes through the Port of Helsinki. However, no serious shortages are expected, although there could be temporary difficulties with some of the most sensitive perishable goods.
      The Finnish paper industry fears that the strike by drivers ADR-Haanpää tank trucks could quickly lead to shortages of chemicals start leading to shutdowns in the paper industry already today.
      Paper factories no longer keep stockpiles of chemicals and are completely reliant on regular deliveries.
     
On Tuesday Lauri Ihalainen, chairman of the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) made two proposals for a settlement, which were rejected by the management side, which considers the strike an illegal one.
      Attempts by the Confederation of Finnish Industry (EK) to seek a settlement also foundered.
      The Finnish Transport Workers’ Union has been given a third fine for illegal strike action by the Finnish Labour court. EK has called a halt to broad-based incomes talks for the duration of the transport strike.
      Bus, tram, and Metro drivers working for Helsinki City Transport are to decide at a meeting on Friday whether or not to give support to the action. Possible measures could include financial support for the strikers, a protest of some kind, or actually going on strike.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Expanded bus strike leads to suspension of incomes talks (17.11.2004)
  Workers to expand bus strike; Port of Helsinki cargo operations under threat (16.11.2004)
  SAK leader Ihalainen fails to open negotiations on bus strike (15.11.2004)
  Bus strike spreads to local traffic in five cities outside Helsinki region (12.11.2003)
  Labour Court finds bus strike illegal; stoppage set to expand on Friday (11.11.2004)

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