Labour conflict threatens Finnish food industry

The protracted strike action surrounds the renewal of collective bargaining agreements between the Finnish Food and Drink Industries’ Federation (ETL) and the Finnish Food Workers’ Union (SEL).

A proposed new working time model from the ETL is proving the main sticking point. In particular, the parties have been unable to agree on the question of overtime for weekend work.

Labour flexibility ​

The union claims the industry offer will deteriorate working conditions while the industry argues that it will improve worker flexibility.

Petri Linkoneva, vice president of the ETL, told FoodProductionDaily.com that existing labour rules date back to the 1960s and are totally out of date. Linkoneva said workers and industry would both benefit from the new proposals.

Impact on shelves ​

The impact of the conflict can already be seen on supermarket shelves where stocks of bread and fresh and processed meats are running thin. But so far any shortages have been more a result of consumers stocking up on food supplies rather than any operational problems at Finnish food companies.

Nevertheless, with a bigger strike threatened for next week, the food industry and consumers alike are bracing themselves for disruption. Up until now the union has refused to accept three proposals for a collective agreement from the industry.

If there is still no compromise, the union is planning a six day total strike from May 11 onwards.