Finnish seafarers threaten to strike from March 1

Viking Line Abp

14/02/2019 20:29

HELSINKI, Feb 14 (Reuters) - The Finnish Seafarers' Union
threatened on Thursday it would call its members out on strike
from March 1, stopping all Finnish passenger and cargo vessels,
including ice-breakers, if its pay demands are not met.
    Shipping is crucial for Finland's economy, with more than
four fifths of foreign trade passing through its ports,
according to official customs statistics for 2017.
    The union began pay negotiations over a deal for the next
two years with the Finnish Shipowners' Association at the start
of the month.
    The shipowners' association said the union was seeking a pay
rise of more than 2.5 percent for the first year, coupled with
changes in contracts which would cost employers a similar
amount, followed by another pay rise of more than 2.5 percent in
the second year.

 (Reporting by Tarmo Virki;
Editing by Alison Williams)
 ((tarmo.virki@thomsonreuters.com; +372 564 4562;))