News
The article is more than 2 years old

Bus strike: Some drivers in Pori quit union to get back behind the wheel

A local union rep told Yle that a number of drivers at Pori's city-owned bus company have decided to break with striking colleagues.

Lapsi nousee linja-auton kyytiin.
Only school transport services by bus were expected to be operating in Pori during the strike. Image: Päivi Meritähti / Yle
  • Yle News

According to the shop steward of the drivers' union in Pori, some buses of the city's Porin Linjat were in service on Thursday after a few drivers decided to defy the strike action.

Thursday, the second day of the current bus strike, saw more union pickets strikers at the city's market square than on Wednesday. Despite the presence of the pickets, a number of strike-breakers are working their regular jobs.

"There are a few more drivers at the wheel today than yesterday. Some have even resigned from the union in order to drive. There are still not many," Eeva-Maria Heiko, chief shop steward at Porin Linjat told Yle.

The atmosphere among drivers was reported as being calm, even though there are divisions in attitudes towards colleagues who have decided to continue working.

"However, with this strike we are promoting the interests of all of us, wellbeing at work and coping with the job. We've got the group fairly united, but it's not nice that some people are driving," said Heiko.

Drivers are now eagerly waiting for negotiations to continue.

"None of us here wants to stand around, but if we can't reach an agreement that will help us cope and improve working conditions, then strikes will continue," Heiko added.