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Travel chaos expected as VR, HSL cancel all commuter trains ahead of driver walkout

Train drivers will not arrive to work on Thursday 18 March and Friday 19 March.

Matkustaja Helsingin päärautatieaseman laiturilla. 9.3.2021.
According to thier press release, train drivers are now suing VR for a breach of contract and changes to agreed working condition. Image: Jorge Gonzalez / Yle
  • Yle News

The Union of railway industries Helsinki unit and Riihimäki's train drivers' association announced that their train drivers will not arrive to work on Thursday 18 March and Friday 19 March.

VR announced on Wednesday that due to the protest, all local HSL and commuter VR trains will be cancelled.

The cancellations will affect HSL's A, E, I, K, L, P, U and Y trains, as well as VR's local trains D, G, R, T, Z and M.

The train drivers will return to work on Saturday 20 March.

According to the union's press release, the protest is an objection to a breach of contract by VR and changes to agreed working conditions.

The union's press release also stated VR won the competitive bidding for Helsinki's HSL commuter train service operation rights by submitting an under-priced bid.

The train drivers said that after eight months of fruitless negotiations, they are suing VR in various courts, including through a class action.

They apologised to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the protest.

In its press release, VR also regretted the inconvenience caused to passengers by the situation.