Finnish Transport Workers Union News

A deal was reached overnight to end Finland's transport workers' strike, Finnish media reported on Tuesday, ending a brief one-day action which brought port traffic to a virtual standstill, Reuters reported. At issue was the fate of 33 stevedores let go by top port operator Steveco at the eastern ports of Kotka and Hamina due to decreased workloads, with around 3,500 stevedores at Finland's 20 ports walking out on Monday to protest the firm's decision. Finnish media said the 33 stevedores would receive a training supplement equivalent to 12 months' pay as part of the deal between employers and the Finnish Transport Workers' Union (AKT) brokered by Finnish State Mediator Juhani Salonius.

Three-quarters of Finnish export traffic was halted on Monday by a stevedores strike after the failure of weekend talks between between employer and employee representatives. Around 3,500 stevedores are taking part, affecting foreign trade worth around $187.7 million per day, said the Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers (TT). Nokia Oyj Abp, Finland's single largest exporter and the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer, said its operations would not, for the time being, be affected as most of its export products were delivered by air. But the timber industry, which is also a significant exporter and is heavily dependent on ports, voiced concern.