Strike by Alko personnel likely from Saturday morning

Negotiations stagnated, both sides expect strike to begin

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Finns might have trouble getting that other kind of Christmas spirit, if an expected strike by sales personnel of Alko, lasts for a long time. If no settlement is reached soon, the stoppage is to begin on Saturday.
      Strikes by Alko personnel have been known to last as long as five weeks.
      Both the union representing Alko sales staff and the employers' organisation feel that the situation is serious, and that the strike is very likely.
      District conciliator Esa Lonka has invited the sides to continue negotiations. Time is running short though.
      If a mediation proposal is forthcoming, it is likely to come on Friday. "I will do all I can to get one made", Lonka said on Wednesday.
     
The disagreement centres around minimum working hours and pay.
      Part-timers comprise 85 per cent of Alko sales staff, working a minimum shifts of four hours on weekdays and 6.5 hours on Saturdays. However, the current contract covering minimum work hours allows for a number of special conditions under which four-hour Saturday shifts can be assigned.
      Management does not want any changes to the status quo, while employees want to eliminate the exceptions to the 6.5 hour minimum for Saturday work.
     
There are also differences on the issue of pay hikes. Management has offered a contract of two years and four months with a 10.8 per cent increase in pay. When other improvements are included, the effect on employer payroll costs would amount to an increase of 12.3 per cent. The employees are calling for 14.8 per cent.
     
The last time that Alko sales personnel were on strike was in 2005, when the stoppage lasted just 10 hours. A strike in 1998 was even shorter - two hours. However, strikes in 1985 and 1972 both lasted five weeks.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Forty Alko outlets remain open despite staff strike (16.11.2007)
  Alko sales staff on three-day strike (15.11.2007)

Links:
  Alko website

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