Finland is on alert In the seventh week, there was a wave of political strikes organized by the Public Welfare Sector Workers’ Union (JHL), targeting key sectors across the country. The strikes, which vary in length, are aimed at challenging the government’s labor reform proposals, which JHL says undermine workers’ rights and worsen working conditions. In addition to halting production at several power plants, the measures will cause significant disruption to, among other things, early childhood education and care, rail services, and regional transport in major cities.
Early childhood education and childcare facilities will be closed for two days from February 13th to 14th, affecting public and private facilities in Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo and several other municipalities. This measure is expected to result in the closure of the majority of daycare centers in the affected areas, and will also directly involve home childcare providers and employment services provider Thule in the strike action.
The entire Finnish railway network will be brought to a standstill on Monday, February 12th, as railway sector unions join the JHL strike. This unprecedented disruption to rail services highlights widespread support for strike action within the labor sector.
In addition, local transport in Helsinki, Turku and Tampere will be severely disrupted on February 14 and 15, with tram and metro services completely suspended and bus services significantly affected. This is likely to cause significant inconvenience to commuters and residents in these cities, highlighting the far-reaching impact of strikes on daily life.
The energy sector will not be spared as the strike, scheduled for February 14-16, will halt power generation at major power plants operated by Kuopion Energia Oy, Enersense In Oy and Hellen Oy. right. District heating will continue to be provided through peak-load heating plants, but the reduction in power generation highlights the potential for the strike to impact a wide range of infrastructure and services.
Companies responsible for catering and facility services in several cities are also expected to join the strike, demonstrating widespread support for JHL’s cause across various public service sectors.
JHL President Håkan Ekström It emphasizes the urgency of strikes as a response to the government’s continued efforts to suppress the right to strike and implement policies harmful to workers. The union’s action is part of central organization SAK’s “Serious Grounds” campaign to protest unfair government policies.
As Finland prepares for the massive disruption caused by these strikes, the message from JHL and supporting unions is clear. The argument is that negotiations are necessary to prevent the erosion of workers’ rights and conditions in the Finnish labor market.
HT