The Finnish Transport Workers’ Union, AKT, called for a work stoppage and went on strike after rush hour on Mar. 2. The strike involves around 12,000 workers and will disturb bus and truck transport, which will have a significant impact on domestic commerce.
Fuel transport to airports and gas stations will also be impacted. Finland’s biggest cities, which outsource most of their bus transport and garbage collection, are likely to be hit the hardest.
AKT called the strike after negotiations with the Employers’ Federation of Road Transport came to a halt. AKT was unwilling to accept a new wage deal, which includes a decrease in real wages and does not address the use of part-time workers to circumvent the union.
The country’s port workers, over 3,000 strong, joined the strike on Mar. 4. The port action has reduced foreign trade by 80 percent.
