The two-day political strike will affect operations at all major Finnish airports from February 1st.
Commercial flights to and from almost all Finnish airports were significantly reduced during the first two days of February as airport workers took part in a nationwide political strike demanding the government reverse planned labor market reforms. It is expected to be suspended.
The Public and Welfare Sector Union (JHL), which represents around 12,000 Finavia and Airpro employees, announced on Friday afternoon that a two-day strike will begin on Thursday, February 1.
In addition to JHL, the service sector union PAM, the Finnish aviation union IAU, the Finnish transport union AKT and the Finnish airline pilots association SLL are also participating in the industrial action.
In a press release issued on Friday, the JHL union said the strike would affect operations at all Finavian airports, with the exception of the smaller airports in Hali and Utti near the cities of Kouvola in central Finland. It pointed out.
This means that the strike will affect all major airports in Finland for 48 hours.
“We cannot stand by and watch our members be deprived of the means to maintain decent working conditions,” said the JHL vice president. Håkan Ekström wrote in a press release.
However, JHL said the measure will not affect any mission that, if left unfulfilled, could endanger people’s lives, health and property.
The union’s press release further emphasized that the strike was not against the employer, but was part of a political strike intended by the Prime Minister. Peteri Olupo(NCP) The government is “still pushing for severe cuts to workers.”
Finnair: 60,000 customers could be affected
National airline Finnair said in a press release that the strike would have a “significant impact” on its operations and lead to flight cancellations.
“Finnair has approximately 60,000 customers whose travel plans may be affected by the strike on February 1-2,” the press release said.
The airline has not yet made any changes to its schedule for the strike date, but is offering customers the opportunity to change their flights.
Finnair’s Vice President of Flight Operations said: “It is clear that flights will be canceled due to the strike and we hope that as many of our customers as possible can find suitable alternatives well in advance to avoid uncertainty in their travel plans. ” he said. Jari Pajanensaid in a press statement.
A day of strikes and demonstrations
The strikes and demonstrations against the government’s planned labor market law reforms are being led by Finland’s two largest trade union federations, SAK and STTK, which announced their plans earlier this week.
Subsequently, other major labor unions in the country agreed with this, and the industrial union announced on Thursday that 60,000 of its members at 700 locations nationwide would retire on February 1.
The service sector union PAM announced on Wednesday that it will take part in a political strike in early February.
Early Friday, the Early Childhood Education Teachers Union warned that many childcare centers across the country would close on February 1 as its members also join the strike.
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