JHL to start day-long strikes in November: The trade union is ready to take tougher measures if the Government doesn’t change its policy

Trade Union JHL is starting a series of political strikes from Northern Finland and Oulu region on Tuesday 7 November. During the week, political strikes are also organised in Southwest Finland and Eastern Finland.

The Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL is tightening its grip in the struggle against the Government’s policy of making cuts. The trade union is organising a series of political strikes that will last one day.

The strikes will start in Northern Finland and Oulu region on Tuesday 7 November. They will hit Southwest Finland on Wednesday 8 November and Eastern Finland on Thursday 9 November. There are dozens of strike locations around Finland. A list of all the locations is attached.

The strikes will affect the operations of, say, sports facilities, waste stations and laundry and catering services. In Turku, a strike will target public transport as the JHL members of Turun kaupunkiliikenne Ltd will go on strike on Wednesday 8 November. In addition, the JHL members working for Turku Energia will be striking on 8 November.

JHL President Päivi Niemi-Laine hopes that the political strikes will finally make the Government wake up. Thus far, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (National Coalition Party) and Minister of Finance Riikka Purra (Finns Party) haven’t agreed to meetings or to consider sensible alternatives to the cruel cuts.

– We’re now forced to start defending our members’ terms and conditions of employment with strikes. We’re ready to take even tougher measures if the Government continues with its stubborn policy, Niemi-Laine highlights.

The Government of Finland is planning to weaken social security and basic employee rights dramatically. For instance, if the first sick day was unpaid, it would be a hard blow to those with low pay. In practice, they cannot afford to be sick without pay.

– Many of our members work with elderly people and children. Does the Government really want to put these people at risk of infection if they’re cared for by a sick employee? Niemi-Laine asks, astonished.

The Government also wants to bury for instance the low-paid employees of the nursing sectors in an eternal pay gap. This will happen if no other sector is going to get larger pay raises than the export industry.

– Those caring for children and elderly, cleaners, school cafeteria cooks and numerous other professionals are apparently second-class citizens according to the Government, and they shouldn’t be paid a proper salary for their important work. This is downright outrageous, Niemi-Laine underlines.

JHL’s strikes are a part of central organisation SAK’s Serious Grounds campaign. The campaign opposes the Government’s unfair policy of making cuts. Next week, strikes will also be organised by Service Union United PAM, the Finnish Construction Trade Union, and the Industrial Union.

More information:
JHL President Päivi Niemi-Laine 040 702 4772