Banks face strike unless Pro’s demands met

Trade Union Pro on Sunday threatened to go on strike at a number of banks at different times at the end of this month and early April to drive home its demands regarding weekend job terms.

The ultimatum came after the prolonged contract negotiations between Service Sector Employers’ union Palta and Trade Union Pro broke down completely, as the employers had stuck to their stance about weekend job terms, said a press release issued by Pro.

Pro is the country’s largest private sector union for clerical employees, experts, supervisory, and managerial staff and is the largest member union of the Finnish Confederation of Professionals (STTK).

Pro on Sunday submitted the strike warning to the national conciliator, Minna Helle, and the employers’ concerned.

If negotiations fail to bear results, the strike will be observed at Osuuspankki (OP Bank) from March 26 to 29, at Danske and other banks (for example, Säästöpankki, POP Pankki ja liikepankki) from April 9 to 12, and at Nordea bank from April 3 to 6.

Pro has been negotiating with Palta for a new agreement in the financial sector for nearly half a year.

Head of Pro’s financial sector Antti Hakala said, “National Conciliator Minna Helle has been mediating the situation since December. On 5th of March she pointed out to the negotiators that the conditions for resolving the dispute are yet to be met. She announced that she would continue with the negotiations only if the parties changed their objectives.”

Pro’s goal is to get the same wage hike as other industries. Furthermore, Pro is ready to negotiate that weekend work be agreed upon locally and on the basis of work place and staff needs.

The mediation has stalled specifically because of a failure to agree on the terms of weekend work.