The Employers' Confederation of Road Transport said Saturday evening that it was ready to begin negotiations with on "differences of opinion related to two bus companies" -- reiterating its earlier condition that the walkout end first.
The owners' association proposed that talks begin immediately, to be led by National Conciliator Juhani Salonius.
The management also said that companies offering public transport services in the Helsinki region do not plan to hire more part-time workers -- the original bone of contention in the labour dispute.
The two companies at the heart of the conflict, Connex and Concordia, promise to offer full-time jobs to all employees with permanent part-time positions. Monday Deadline Looms The Finnish Transport Workers' Union has threatened to further expand the scope of the ongoing bus drivers' strike next week if the employers' side does not agree to negotiations. The plane fuelling strike is expected to have its most severe impact on domestic air services. A strike also threatens truck traffic and waste removal services of six large haulage companies. Most cargo services in the Port of Helsinki stopped on Thursday. Now a ban on overtime work has been imposed. The union says it regrets the inconvenience caused by the action, and shifts the blame onto employer intransigence. The management side has refused to negotiate on the issues, calling the strike illegal. The Finnish Labour court has concurred, imposing four fines on the union for striking in violation of an existing labour contract. Finnish News Agency, YLE24