Stockmann workers object to employer’s plans to hire additional staff to keep stores open during Friday strike

Johanna Manelius

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Stockmann chief shop steward Rita Löwenhildshakes her head. She does not fancy the idea of the employer's using additional personnel to keep the company's department stores open on Friday, the day when a one-day strike staged by the Service Union United (PAM) is to take place.
      Stockmann has announced that it will keep its doors open on Friday, as the Stockmann spring sales, also known as Hullut päivät (”Crazy Days”) will continue for five days through until Sunday.
      Apart from using the management level and non-unionised workers, the store chain plans to hire some non-professional temporary personnel as well.
      Maisa Romanainen, Director of Stockmann's Department Store Division, confirms that because of the strike “some additional staff” have been hired by the chain.
     
Even under normal circumstances Stockmann would hire up to 1,200 additional staff in the capital area just to cope with the “Crazy Days” mayhem.
      PAM’s Stockmann Local Division Chairman Krissu Sirola-Korhonen reckons that Stockmann is using the Hullut Päivät situation to its advantage.
      “Not all companies have this kind of chance to open short-term vacancies. In that respect this gives our employer an edge.”
      PAM Chairperson Ann Selin is flabbergasted by Stockmann’s way of recruiting stand-ins during the strike.
      “I would have expected the strike to be taken with dignity. I know companies where the directors have agreed on a policy that industrial actions are honoured.”
      Stockmann employees are waiting for the strike peacefully, but according to Löwenhild there is some tension in the air.
     
The non-unionised workers insist that neither their unionised co-workers nor the employer have put any pressure on them.
      Still, both sides expect that there will be some congestion in the department stores in Friday.
      “The temporary workers are not able to serve the customers as effectively as regular staff”, Löwenhild predicts.
      “I’m also just wondering how many articles will be stolen by shoplifters on Friday, since the security personnel will be on strike as well”, ponders Stockmann customer Johanna Manelius, who herself used to work for Stockmann.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Three-day strike looming over retail sector at end of April (14.4.2010)

Links:
  Stockmann
  Service Union United (PAM)

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