Transport Workers’ chief says progress on harbour contract needed on Tuesday
Two sides far apart on Monday
|
Timo Räty, chairman of the Finnish Transport Workers’ Union (AKT), says that considerable progress toward a labour contract for cargo handlers at Finnish seaports is needed on Tuesday if a harbour strike is to be averted on Friday next week.
A national strike by stevedores could begin on Friday morning next week if no labour contract is reached before that. On Monday Räty was optimistic that a contract could be reached on Tuesday.
Talks aimed at averting a strike continued until eight in the evening on Monday. The negotiations, which are presided over by National Conciliator Juhani Salonius, continue today, Tuesday.
The views of the two sides remained far apart on Monday. However, negotiators on both sides indicated that they are eager to settle the dispute.
Stevedores, who staged impromptu strikes in several harbours through the weekend, returned to work on Monday morning.
Jouko Santala, head of the Finnish Port Operators' Association, expressed amazement at the union claim that the stoppages were aimed at speeding up the negotiations. He pointed out that the union side had not even put forward any wage hike proposals.
The main issue at stake is the union demand that more of the temporary workers hired by Finnish seaports should be given permanent positions.
The employers have partially agreed to the demand, adding a call for more flexibility in working hours.
The Port Operators' Association wants to allow cargo handling at night, and to extend the possibility for double shifts to weekends.
"That would bring great savings to the employers, and would decrease employee earnings, and this must be compensated in some way", says AKT Chairman Räty.
A national strike by stevedores could begin on Friday morning next week if no labour contract is reached before that. On Monday Räty was optimistic that a contract could be reached on Tuesday.
Talks aimed at averting a strike continued until eight in the evening on Monday. The negotiations, which are presided over by National Conciliator Juhani Salonius, continue today, Tuesday.
The views of the two sides remained far apart on Monday. However, negotiators on both sides indicated that they are eager to settle the dispute.
Stevedores, who staged impromptu strikes in several harbours through the weekend, returned to work on Monday morning.
Jouko Santala, head of the Finnish Port Operators' Association, expressed amazement at the union claim that the stoppages were aimed at speeding up the negotiations. He pointed out that the union side had not even put forward any wage hike proposals.
The main issue at stake is the union demand that more of the temporary workers hired by Finnish seaports should be given permanent positions.
The employers have partially agreed to the demand, adding a call for more flexibility in working hours.
The Port Operators' Association wants to allow cargo handling at night, and to extend the possibility for double shifts to weekends.
"That would bring great savings to the employers, and would decrease employee earnings, and this must be compensated in some way", says AKT Chairman Räty.
Helsingin Sanomat