Mass strikes in Finland halt public transport

Helsinki’s usually vibrant city center experiences an unusual hush following Finland’s government’s proposal of labor reforms

Public transport came to a standstill as strikes in Finland, which started on Jan. 31 with nursery workers staging a walkout, escalated, resulting in the cancellation of trains nationwide and the majority of bus services.

The strikes were triggered by conservative Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s proposed changes to the country’s labor legislation. The impact of the strikes was substantial, with unions disrupting much of Finland’s air traffic on Thursday and Friday. This led the national airline, Finnair, to cancel 550 flights, affecting approximately 60,000 passengers.

According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), Helsinki residents are not bothered by the strikes, saying: “They are striking for a good reason. The gains made must be protected, there is no need to weaken them in an unfounded way.”

In addition to the ongoing and increasing strikes, unions and nongovernmental organizations from many sectors continue to call for strikes. The Finnish Confederation of Professionals (STTK), the Public and Welfare Sector Union (JHL), the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) and the Service Union United (PAM) are among those calling for strikes.

Source: Newsroom