Finnish Transport Workers' Union (AKT) members are set to prolong their political strikes into a fourth week, further closing cargo traffic in ports and affecting some fuel distribution operations. Despite the inconvenience caused, passenger traffic will continue as normal.
The union expresses regret for the disruption caused by the strikes but insists on defending workers' positions against significant changes proposed by the government. These include expanding local bargaining, weakening strike rights, and cutting social security, all of which threaten the livelihoods of low-income individuals and aim to establish a low-wage market in Finland.
AKT opposes the government's program, fearing irreversible impacts on Finnish working life and the welfare state. "The changes are so vast and significant that they cannot be allowed to pass without a fight," states AKT President Ismo Kokko.
The strike affects Viking Line's cargo handling in Helsinki and Turku ports, involving foremen, traffic controllers, and truck clerks, from April 1 at 06:00 to April 8 at 06:00. Additionally, Neste Oyj's storage operators in the tank and oil product sector, as well as subcontracted work in the stevedoring sector, will join the strike during the same period, ensuring that tasks critical to life, health, or property, as well as national security, remain unaffected.
