Workers to expand bus strike; Port of Helsinki cargo operations under threat

Concerns of effect of stoppage on incomes talks

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The Finnish Transport Workers‘ Union (AKT), which is affiliated with the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), decided on Monday to halt all transport to the harbours of Sompasaari and the Western Harbour of the Port of Helsinki. If this escalation of the ongoing bus drivers’ strike reaches the port, all cargo shipments could be in jeopardy from Wednesday morning at 6 a.m.
      The Union also decided to include the tank lorry transports of ADR-Haanpää in the strike action, which began as a conflict over the use of part-time workers by private bus operators in the Helsinki region.
     
It appears likely that the harbour traffic will come to a halt at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning, and the affected chemical transports will stop at midnight, as the sides appear unlikely to hold any negotiations on the matter before that. The employers’ side have repeatedly refused to begin talks while an illegal strike is under way. On Monday the Road Transport Employers' Union (ALT) took the issue before the Labour Court for the third time.
      Meanwhile, the bus strike is continuing in the Helsinki region, as well as in Lahti, Pori, Kuopio, Jyväskylä, and Oulu.
      Drivers of Helsinki City Transport (HKL) are also considering action to support the strikers.
     
On Monday, the strike hampered public transport in eight cities. The stoppage affecting Jyväskylä has expanded to long-haul routes and chartered services. Local transport in Jämsä has also come to a halt.
      In Kuopio, however, striking drivers decided on Sunday not to expand their action from local routes to regional services. More than 100 drivers are on strike in Kuopio.
     
The Transport Workers’ Union has said that it would assess the strike situation early in the week.
      SAK Chairman Lauri Ihalainen spent the weekend examining the possibilities of solving the dispute through the office of the National Incomes Mediator or through some unofficial go-between.
      There is some concern that the current action might have a negative effect on the ongoing broad-based incomes talks. These were dealt a further blow on Monday by the announcement that Seppo Riski, the chief negotiator and Director of Labour Market Policy for EK, the Confederation of Finnish Industries, would be away from his desk for a month.
      Riski underwent an operation on Monday to remove a kidney tumour. While his absence is not thought likely to derail the collective bargaining discussions, it may well cause delays.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  SAK leader Ihalainen fails to open negotiations on bus strike (15.11.2004)

Links:
  Helsinki Metropolitain Area Council (YTV)

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