Finland – Wildcat Port Strikes
Export dependant Finland had its cargo movements disrupted on Tuesday by wildcat strikes at seven ports. The stevedores union is protesting about the port operators making permanent staff redundant and employing temporary stevedores. The strikes impacted freight, not passengers, and affected the ports of Helsinki, Kotka, Uusikaupunki, Naantali, Hanko, Kokkola and Turku. The union will be in discussions with the bosses this week, and if matters are not concluded to their satisfaction, there may be nationwide strikes on 19 February, which are likely to cause disruption to the Nordic country’s freight transport infrastructure.