Minister of Employment postpones trade logistics strikes on proposal of National Conciliator

The trade logistics strikes would have targeted society’s vital functions and damaged the public interest, according to a recent decision. A significant reason for the postponement decision is securing food supply for the most vulnerable, as a strike wave would have caused significant disruptions to statutory food services and challenged the security of supply.

According to the decision of the Minister of Employment, the strikes to be postponed would begin at 5 a.m. on 20 February. The decision to postpone the strikes only applies to the first wave of strikes, that is, the logistics strikes taking place between 6 and 9 February. The first strikes in stores starting on 9 February and the second wave of strikes in logistics and stores taking place during week 7 continue to threaten to materialise.

Food services, which are part of the Foodservice sector, are significant both societally and from the point of view of security of supply. The deliveries of wholesale trade rely on statutory food services, the operation of which would be significantly impeded by strikes.

“Strikes against foodservice wholesale trade supplying restaurants and professional kitchens could have an impact on the operations of hospitals, assisted living units, daycare centres, prisons and the Defence Forces,” says Lauri Kulonen, preparedness specialist at the Finnish Commerce Federation.

Consumers will have access to sufficient food during a possible strike as well. There are a total of 2,800 grocery trade stores in Finland, and a strike warning has been issued mainly with regard to hypermarkets.

“Approximately 80 per cent of the food sold in Finland is produced in Finland, so there is enough food even if there are disturbances in imports. For consumers, the situation could potentially be reflected in product deficiencies in individual product groups and brands, mainly in fruit and vegetable products,” Kulonen says.

Lauri Kulonen works as a trade representative in the National Emergency Supply Organisation – in its trade and distribution pool, which also assesses the impact of possible strikes on the continuity of companies in the sector and the supply of daily goods to citizens. The trade and distribution pool does not take a stance on the strikes themselves, rather its task is to ensure the functionality of the distribution systems and food supply required by the supply of daily goods in various disruptions and exceptional circumstances, in cooperation with the sector and the authorities.

Further information:

Lauri Kulonen, specialist, preparedness, Finnish Commerce Federation, +358 (0) 40 419 9309, lauri.kulonen(at)pty.fi