board of directors The Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) decided on Tuesday in favor of organizing a work stoppage as part of a broader political strike on February 1-2.
The four-hour suspension targets union members who provide ground services such as baggage, de-icing and passenger services, in-flight catering services and air cargo services to various airlines.
It was organized in protest against the labor market reforms and social security cuts proposed by the prime minister’s government. Peteri Olupo (NCP) said the outage will primarily take place from 2pm to 6pm on February 1st and 2nd.
Finnair, Finland’s majority-owned airline, has reported that the industrial action announced by several trade unions will “unfortunately” have a “significant impact” on its flights and that cancellations are inevitable. The airline has promised to contact all passengers affected by changes or cancellations directly by text or email.
Finnair says flights between January 31 and February 3 can be rescheduled or postponed until March 15.
Many other trade unions have also announced strikes and other industrial action in protest of efforts to exploit the position of wage earners. For example, Services Union United (PAM) has announced strikes targeting a long list of hotels, restaurants and retailers, including Lidl, Kesco and S Group supermarkets.
The Finnish Industrial Trade Union announced on Thursday that around 60,000 members will go on strike from February 1st to 2nd at 700 workplaces across Finland.chairman Riku Aalto He estimated that the strike would disrupt much of the industrially producing country, but assured that emergency work and work necessary to ensure public safety would not be jeopardized.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT