Truck drivers plan to go ahead with their highway protest over the holiday weekend in spite of a lack of support from the Transport Workers' Union. Some haulage firms plan to inflict traffic chaos on highways during the Midsummer holiday weekend despite calls for reason by the trade organisation, Finnish Transport and Logistics (SKAL). A text message has been circulating that calls on truckers to drive at 20 kilometres an hour on major arteries from noon on Thursday to protest exorbitant fuel prices. Transport entrepreneurs are fighting higher costs and demanding lower fuel prices. Transport Workers' Union Does Not Back Action Transport Workers' Union (AKT) chairman Timo Räty is not giving his backing to calls for fuel price protests by truck drivers this holiday weekend. However, he says the union is ready to cooperate to find means to press for lower prices. Räty stated on Tuesday that drivers are willing to work with transport entrepreneurs and their organization, Finnish Transport and Logistics (SKAL). "SKAL is the key in this issue. They should consider means to wake up the state and their clients. The ATK is ready to cooperate if asked to do so," said the union chief. Union Chief Calls on State Timo Räty argues that pressure should be brought on the state, because it is the state that makes taxation decisions affecting fuel pricing. Also, he urged entrepreneurs to place pressure on transport customers to renegotiate contracts. He called for cooperation between entrepreneurs and his union in finding the right means to deal with the situation. Finnish Railways VR meanwhile says the threatened slowdown has not increased demand for train tickets for weekend travel.
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