JHL calls for 2-day strike from Oct 22

The Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors (JHL) has decided to go on a two-day strike from October 22 in protest against the government’s planned legislation aimed at easing dismissal of employees.

The union’s executive committee took the decision at a meeting, said a JHL press release on Wednesday.

The strike will affect a number of sectors including cleaning, property maintenance, food services, and sports and cultural services.

Food supply to schools and day-care centres and care services for the elderly will be suspended during the strike.

The strike will also impact the cleaning services at different facilities. Some maintenance work will not be carried out and some libraries and cultural centres and municipal sports centres will be closed for the strike period.

The union apologises for any inconvenience and trouble that the strike may cause for the third parties. “But it is necessary to act now to secure work benefits for all,” said JHL in the press release. JHL has announced to escalate industrial action gradually, if the government does not stop preparations for the bill.

“The government is kowtowing to employers by stubbornly pushing forward the bill, which would divide employees into two classes, depending on how large their workplace is. The government cannot unilaterally dictate employment terms in Finland. The unions must stand up to the undermining of employment terms. The show put on by Prime Minister Sipilä in parliament changes nothing,” said JHL President Päivi Niemi-Laine.

“JHL executive committee emphasises that the union is ready to continue with the industrial action, if the preparation of the bill moves forward. New industrial actions will probably be announced over the next few weeks,” said JHL Chief Executive Officer Håkan Ekström.

“JHL’s members fully support this industrial action. We are ready to continue fighting if our government gives us reason to do so,” Ekström added.