Security Guards and Retail Employees Stage One-Day Strike
A security guard at work.
Image: YLE
Security guards staged a one-day strike on Friday after talks with employers failed on Thursday. Many retail stores were also closed due to a one-day stoppage.
Many stores closed their doors on Friday due to the one-day strike. However, some stayed open with the help of management staff.
The Service Union United(PAM) claims many stores have pressured employees to turn up for work despite the strike. It also accuses some employers of recruiting black-leg labour to break the strike.
Pickets were out in force, for example, in front of Stockmann department stores in Helsinki and Tampere.
In a surprise move, the CEO of the Stockmann department store Hannu Penttilä accused employers of taking a overtly tough stance in recent negotiations. On Thursday, he resigned from the Finnish Federation of Commerce in protest.
Stores are open for business as normal on Saturday.
Talks Fail, Private Security on Strike
Meanwhile, a one-day strike by security guards took place on Friday, after employer and employee representatives failed to reach agreement on work contracts for private security workers.
The inconclusive talks meant that security staff at stores, some nuclear plants and some businesses walked off the job. Service Union United PAM is representing security guards in the negotiations.
The discussions were led by State Conciliator Esa Lonka and ran late into Thursday night, but both sides remained divided on key issues.
YLE