Transport Dispute Resolved; Strike Over
Image: YLE
The Transport Workers' Union (AKT) and the Employers’ Federation of Road Transport (ALT) have approved a proposal by state labour mediator Esa Lonka to end the labour dispute. Local bus schedules are expected to return to normal for the most part on Thursday.
The union won a pay increase of 0.6 percent from April and 0.7 percent beginning in October. The new contract is valid for two years.
On Wednesday morning, Lonka announced that a new proposal had been made to end the labour dispute. Talks resumed at 10 am on Wednesday. Lonka had called off talks Tuesday at midnight without reaching a deal.
The bus strike, which began at 6 pm on Tuesday, disrupted commuter traffic throughout the country.
Busses Up and Running
The deal means that bus drivers are returning to work. Commuter busses are expected to run normally for the most part on Thursday. In the Helsinki area, essentially all bus lines are operating although some busses may not run as often as normal.
Some delays are still expected for long-distance bus services.
Wednesday Commute Mostly Smooth
With two-thirds of long-distance busses and capital city bus transport at a standstill, Wednesday morning's commute was more difficult than usual.
Nonetheless, people had plenty of warning of the impending strike, so the commute went off fairly smoothly even in the most-affected cities.
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YLE