Strike paralyses train service across country

Rail communication will remain suspended across the country as the Railway Union Association (Rautatiealan Unioni Ry-RAU) announced to go for a strike from Monday to Tuesday, said RAU, VR and HSL in separate press releases.

The RAU at a meeting on February 7 decided to observe the strike protesting against the labour market reforms and cuts in working condition undertaken by the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) led four-party alliance government.

RAU together with other trade unions is also demanding stop of the government´s initiatives immediately.

National railway operator VR said that the strike will stop train services on Monday and all long-distance, night and commuter trains will be cancelled during the strike.

The passengers can change their long-distance single ticket to another date without paying a 5 € change fee. If the passenger does not change the date of the ticket, VR will automatically refund the money for the train tickets purchased during the strike.

The strike will start on Monday at 00.01 and will last until 23.59 on the same day.

However, individual changes are possible on Tuesday also.

The Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (Helsingin seudun liikenne- HSL) said that commuter trains will be not operated in the capital region on Monday due to the strike. There may be changes in traffic also on Tuesday.

The strike will affect all work shifts starting between midnight and 11.59pm. The strike will also affect train services on Tuesday.

The Finnish Railway Union has also announced a strike by traffic controllers. The strike will affect work shifts starting on Monday at 6:59pm and ending on Tuesday at 6.59pm.

Earlier, the Industrial Union (Teollisuusliitto) on February 2, announced a large-scale political strikes targeting several industrial sectors from February 14 to February 16 protesting against the cuts in employee rights and social welfare undertaken by the government.

Rail, road and air traffics remained suspended and normal activities in various service sectors including daycares, factories and groceries were hampered as different trade unions observed a 48-hour strike across the country from February 1.