Effort to End Transport Strike

Both union and employers' representatives gathered at the mediator's office Sunday afternoon and were asked to review the proposal and respond by midnight.

However, did not come in time to stop the labour action by the Transport Workers' Union.

The strike by around 11,000 members of the Transport Workers' Union centers on disagreements over pay rises and part-time employment. When talks last broke off, the state mediator said that the positions of the parties were too far apart for a compromise and scheduled the next round of negotiations for Wednesday.

Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen told YLE Radio News earlier in the day that he was hoping for a quick settlement, but that the government has few means to bring pressure on the parties to the dispute.