HELSINKI, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Finland's trade unions announced on Wednesday its plans to shut down the country's freight transport and major processing industries for two weeks starting from next Monday.
The move follows several waves of strikes in winter in protest of the Finnish government coalition's plans to amend the terms of labor, unemployment compensation, and the rights to strike. Some of the reform plans have been processed under the parliamentary majority of the government and will take effect shortly.
The winter strikes affected passenger transport and public services such as daycare. The forthcoming two-week action, however, targets major industries. Ports will not handle freight, though passenger ships will operate normally.
Jarkko Eloranta, chairman of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (SAKI), said at a press conference on Wednesday that the government was not willing to listen to the workers but only carrying out the employers' ideas.
Eloranta said the strikes could still be called off if the cabinet would show more consideration in its reforms.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo confirmed earlier this week that he would convene a major meeting of employees and employers on Friday.
The cabinet insisted throughout the winter that the reforms were necessary. Some commentators said the fact that the prime minister would himself chair the meeting on Friday indicated he would be a negotiator on behalf of the government and could "work out something" as an experienced politician.
Ismo Kokko, chair of the Finnish Transport Workers Union, expressed hope that the Friday meeting would be a genuine effort to address the issues rather than a strategic move.
Jyri Hakamies, CEO of the Confederation of Industries, estimated the cost of the winter strikes had added up to 1 billion euros, and would still rise. ■
