Niinistö criticised by unions
The Transport Workers’ Union AKT and Trade Union Pro have strongly criticised National Coalition party presidential candidate Sauli Niinistö. According to the AKT, Niinistö has aroused animosity towards the labour movement and trade unions. Trade Union Pro also says that Niinistö does not understand the everyday lives of ordinary workers.
Niinistö earlier told YLE that illegal strikes should be punished by bigger fines than can presently be levied. In his opinion, clamping down on wildcat walkouts is necessary to maintain social peace.
AKT says that the proposal is a direct attack on Finnish workers. The union says that Niinistö’s position is unfortunate, and that it could disrupt the policy of broad-based co-operation currently in place.
Trade Union Pro chair Antti Rinne says that Niinistö should focus on the reasons for workplace conflicts. He warns that illegal strikes stem from many situations where the employer acts unilaterally without discussing matters with the workforce.
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