The Finnish economy could well be hit by a series of labour union actions over the next few weeks.
Weekend negotiations failed to resolve a labour dispute in Finland's technology industries, while the Finnish Transport Workers' Union (AKT) has announced a ban on overtime for stevedores at the nation's ports, and Service Union United PAM has issued a new strike warning in the retail trade sector.
Strikes in key export sectors now seem increasingly likely after the Industrial Union last week rejected the national mediator's settlement proposal in an ongoing labour dispute in the technology sector. Talks between the union and employers failed to achieve a breakthrough on Sunday, were suspended, and will be resumed under the auspices of the national mediator again on Tuesday.
A dispute between the Industrial Union and the employers' organisation in the chemical industry has also gone into mediation, but so far with meagre results.
A three-day strike by Industrial Union members in the tech and chemical sectors will begin on Wednesday unless the parties reach an agreement before then. The strike, if it takes place, will include 50 workplaces with a total of approximately 7,200 employees.
Three-day strikes scheduled for the beginning of February have also been announced by Trade Union Pro which represents banking and clerical employees, and the Federation of Professional and Managerial Staff (YTN) which represents senior-level white-collar workers. Their strike warnings target the technology sector, and the engineering and consulting industries.
Both the Industrial Union and Trade Union Pro have already warned of more possible strikes during February. A second three-day strike in the technology sector and chemical industry could start on 8 February.
In addition, the Industrial Union, Pro and YTN have overtime bans in effect.
Threatened action in retail trade
Extensive industrial action may soon be seen in the retail trade sector, as well. Service Union United PAM has issued a strike warning for the second week of February which targets several warehouses and retail outlets. These include Prisma and K-Citymarkets at several locations.
On Sunday, PAM said that the strike in the retail sector will expand in the week starting 13 February, if an agreement is not reached with employers before then. The new three-day strike warning concerns warehouses.
The current collective agreement in the retail sector expires on Tuesday. PAM says that it is aiming for a monthly salary increase of about 200 euros for retail employees.
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