Pro’s unlawful surprise strikes continue to hammer Suomen Kotidata – the industrial peace system is not working
The strike that began today clearly shows that the Kotidata case concerns Trade Union Pro’s political aim to pressure Kotidata into replacing the Collective Agreement for the Commercial Sector with the Collective Agreement for the ICT Sector, which is not applicable to the company, and not unresolved employment relationship problems. The smear campaign is based on unfounded allegations and has continued for a long time, and it is threatening the company’s operations and jobs. The serial strikes underline that the Finnish industrial peace system is not working.
Trade Union Pro has again started an unlawful surprise strike in a member company of the Finnish Commerce Federation, Suomen Kotidata, today on 14 September. The strike has been announced to continue until Friday 18 September. The company has been the victim of a series of unlawful Pro strikes since late summer.
The decision issued by the Labour Court on 3 September, however, confirmed that Kotidata has acted correctly and can continue to follow the Collective Agreement for the Commercial Sector.
“Pro is using Suomen Kotidata purely as a pawn. With the continuous strikes, it is attempting to force the company to follow the Collective Labour Agreement for the ICT Sector, even though the inapplicability of that agreement has already been reviewed with the National Conciliator in the presence of Pro,” says Anna Lavikkala, Labour Market Director at the Finnish Commerce Federation.
Since the spring, the Finnish Commerce Federation and Kotidata have tried to resolve alleged employment problems with the representatives of the personnel to resolve identified ambiguities. So far, no concrete case has been identified in spite of requests. In addition, immediately after the decision of the Labour Court, the company launched individual discussions with each employee to investigate any problems, but no alleged problems concerning underpay, for example, were found.
“It is unreasonable to claim that the company has not been willing to resolve such issues, while in practice it has been Pro that has prevented the search for solutions. Neither Kotidata’s shop steward nor Pro have listed the specific employment requirements of the personnel, even though they have been requested to do so. This is a major conflict,” says Lavikkala.
Pro’s irresponsible and ruthless action in this SME has shown that the Finnish industrial peace system is not working and needs reform.
“By abusing its power to strike, the trade union is driving a company that follows the law and the rules of working life and provides employment nationwide into distress, while also jeopardising the jobs of its employees. Whose interests is Pro looking after?” Lavikkala asks.
For further information, please contact: Anna Lavikkala, Labour Market Director, Finnish Commerce Federation, tel. +358 (0)400 406 088, anna.lavikkala(at)kauppa.fi
