Fuel crisis likely as strikes continue

The ongoing strikes enforced by the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) and its affiliated unions may disrupt fuel supply in the country, if the strikes continue, said the state-run petroleum company Neste on Tuesday.

The trade unions have been observing the strikes since March 11 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.

The fuel stocks at many refueling stations of Neste already became low and the situation will be worsened, if the strikes continue as a result the company would not be able to ensure fuel supply to its outlets across the country sufficiently, said Neste in a press release.

Neste apologised to its customers for the possible running out of fuel at some outlets.

Meanwhile, the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (Helsingin seudun liikenne – HSL) on Monday in a press release said it seemed that the effects on bus services will be significant, if the operators run out of fuel.

Despite the disruptions to fuel deliveries, the trunk route buses, the key transport links are mainly working well. Most of the buses on trunk routes are electric buses. In addition, all trams, the metro and trains run on electricity.

The SAK and its affiliated unions on March 20 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.

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.