Strike paralyses rail, road, air traffics, disrupts service sectors

Rail, road and air traffics will remain suspended and normal activities in various service sectors including daycares, factories and groceries are being hampered as different trade unions started a 48-hour strike across the country from early Thursday protesting against the labour market reforms and cuts in working condition undertaken by the four-party alliance government.

Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors- JHL, the service sector union -PAM, the Finnish Aviation Union- IAU, the Finnish Transport Workers' Union- AKT and the Finnish Airline Pilots' Association- SLL are observing the strike demanding stop of the government´s initiatives.

The Railway Union Associationtrade (Rautatiealan Unioni Ry-RAU), unions for bus drivers, daycare employees and various services sectors also expressed solidarity with the strike.

Workers of the early childhood education services already started strike at different places on Wednesday and will continue on Thursday resulting closure of daycare centres at different parts in the country.

JHL working for Finavia or Airpro started the strike from 12.01 am on Thursday to 11.59 pm on Friday resulting suspension of the flights operation.

Earlier on Monday, national flag carrier Finnair estimated that about 550 flights will be cancelled on February 1 and February 2 due to the strike.

The RAU decided to observe strike on February 2 as a result all commuter and long-distance train services will remained suspended on Friday.

The Helsingin seudun liikenne (Helsinki Regional Transport Authority)- HSL said that the strike will halt train, metro, tram and light rail services on February 2 February.

In addition, most of HSL bus services will not operate on February 2.

Trade sector workers will also observe strike on Thursday affecting various grocery shops including major chains such as the S and K groups, Lidl and Tokmanni.

Meanwhile, two major trade union federations of the country- The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) and Finnish Confederation of Professionals (STTK) will stage a demonstration in the capital on Thursday protesting against the government cuts in working conditions and social welfare.

The demonstration with the slogan “Stop Now” will be held at Senate Square from 12.00 to 14.00.