Unions to continue strikes as negotiation talks with govt fail

The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) and its affiliated unions on Wednesday decided to extend their ongoing strikes to until end of this month after a negotiation meeting with the government was ended without any fruitful result.

The unions leaders held the meeting with Minister of Employment Arto Satonen to discuss about the labour market reforms and cuts in working condition undertaken by the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) led four-party alliance government but they failed to reach an agreement.

The trade unions have been observing a two-week strike since March 11 protesting against the labour law reforms.

SAK President Jarkko Eloranta after the meeting told at a press conference that the government had not been receptive to the union's proposals, therefore, they will continue their strikes next week in protest against the reforms.

“We are disappointed. We had hoped for a more even-handed approach and some mitigation of hard measures for employees. The government did not compromise, and still intends to implement several industrial policy objectives with negative consequences for employees. Many of these will have no impact on employment or on the balance of public finances. They are not motivated by practicality, but are instead purely ideological,” said Eloranta.

Eloranta found that the callous approach of the Orpo-Purra Government remains a concern of employees and the organisations that represent their interests.

“We still have strong support from the people. Although only workers in certain sectors are on strike, this is a joint effort of the entire SAK. Our decision to continue industrial action was unanimous,” Eloranta added.

Meanwhile, Satonen in a post on the social media platform X wrote that the extension of the strikes was regrettable, particularly after Wednesday´s discussions.

He also wrote that the best way to resolve the issues is to talk, not to go on strike.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told the News Agency STT that prolonging the strikes will not solve the problems and that discussions and negotiations are the way forward, reported Xinhua.

The government's reforms include cutbacks in unemployment benefits, increasing opportunities for companies to break away from union tariff agreements, and restricting political or sympathy strikes in the labor market. Some of the reform plans have already passed the parliamentary process.

Freight transport and production in the major industries remained standstill from March 11 as the SAK started tougher strike across the country protesting against the labour market reforms and cuts in working condition.

The strike is being observed by all the major SAK affiliated trade unions including the Industrial Union, the Public and Welfare Sectors Trade Union JHL, the Finnish Transport Workers’ Union AKT, the Electrical Workers’ Union, the Finnish Construction Trade Union, and Service Union United PAM.

Earlier on March 5, the SAK announced another spell of tougher strike protesting against the government moves.

Different trade unions were observing strikes 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.

Three opposition parties in the parliament on February 16 tabled a no-confidence motion against the four-party alliance government over the ongoing labour market unrest in the country.

Earlier on March 15, the largest trade union in Norway Fagforbundet and the Swedish Union of Municipal Workers Kommunal expressed solidarity with the ongoing strikes in Finland enforced by the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) and its affiliated trade unions in Finland.