A strike in the logistics industry that was set to begin on Monday has been postponed by two weeks, the office of the national mediator announced on Thursday evening. The strike is now set to begin on 20 February unless a contract deal is struck before that.
The Ministry of Employment and Economic Affairs decided on Thursday to postpone the planned walkout based on a proposal from the national conciliator.
It ruled that the postponement was appropriate because the work stoppage targets vital functions of society and would cause significantly harm to the public, according to the website of the national conciliator.
The work stoppage would especially hit food service wholesalers that produce services considered critical in terms of security of supply. The companies targeted by the work stoppage supply most of the raw materials for institutional meals.
These include, for example, food services for hospitals, service housing for the elderly, prisons, kindergartens and schools, as well as the Defence Forces.
Union slams delay
The Service Union United PAM expressed dismay at the decision, with union president Annika Rönni-Sällinen calling the postponement "shocking".
"This came out of the blue for us. The reasons seem incomprehensible, and we were never contacted about it," she told Yle on Thursday evening.
"This limits employees' right to strike, which should only be done in very exceptional circumstances. This seems like a very strange, harsh decision," she said.
