New talks in bid to end Finnish port strike
Trade standstill enters sixth day as exports pile up
The strike at Finnish ports that has brought trade to a standstill enters its sixth day, but negotiations are due to restart later today.
The strike started at 6am on 4 March, when negotiations on redundancy packages and working conditions between transport workers’ union AKT and the Finnish Port Operators’ Association broke down.
However, Finland’s biggest stevedore, Steveco, said new negotiations between the two groups were due to start today.
It is estimated the strikes are costing Finnish exporters €100m (US$135m) a day.
The port operators’ said: “In practice, the strike means AKT members do not handle cargo arriving in or leaving the harbours.
“But medicines, hospital equipment, dangerous goods and feed for animals are excluded and will be handled during the strike.
“Situations vary depending on the harbour and port operator/terminal and we would advise foreign shippers to contact their partners in Finland for more information.”
The strike started at 6am on 4 March, when negotiations on redundancy packages and working conditions between transport workers’ union AKT and the Finnish Port Operators’ Association broke down.
However, Finland’s biggest stevedore, Steveco, said new negotiations between the two groups were due to start today.
It is estimated the strikes are costing Finnish exporters €100m (US$135m) a day.
The port operators’ said: “In practice, the strike means AKT members do not handle cargo arriving in or leaving the harbours.
“But medicines, hospital equipment, dangerous goods and feed for animals are excluded and will be handled during the strike.
“Situations vary depending on the harbour and port operator/terminal and we would advise foreign shippers to contact their partners in Finland for more information.”
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