Rail traffic will be suspended nationwide from 6am to 6pm, states Risto Elonen, the board chairman at the Locomotive Drivers' Union (VML). “This is a message to Prime Minister Juha Sipilä (Centre) that the one-sided changes to employment are simply unacceptable from the viewpoint of trade unions,” he says.

The demonstration is set to begin at 11am in Helsinki and halt practically all public transport in the city, says Jarkko Eloranta, the chairperson of the Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors (JHL). Tram and metro services, for example, will be suspended for the duration of the demonstration, possibly even longer.

“Commuter trains won't move from six in the morning until six in the evening. The majority of buses will come to a halt, from morning until evening. That's what AKT is planning on doing as far as I know,” Eloranta says.

Marko Piirainen, the chairperson of the Transport Workers' Union (AKT), confirms to Helsingin Sanomat that bus services will likely be suspended from Friday morning until Friday evening. The board of directors at AKT will convene to discuss the matter on Monday.

Some disruptions in air traffic are also possible, according to Eloranta, as airport security personnel are members of JHL.

Piirainen hinted on Friday that aircraft fuelling services could be disrupted due to the work stoppage, pointing out that the boards of the Finnish Cabin Crew Union (SLSY) and the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) are scheduled to convene on Monday.

In addition, the work stoppage can shut down daycare centres and schools, predicts Pasi Pesonen, a director at the Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ). The possible closures will not affect the ongoing matriculation examinations and will be announced well before Friday, he assures.

“You not noticing that the daycare centre is closed until you're dropping off your child on Friday is simply not an option,” he says.

OAJ has urged its local organisations to allow as many as possible to participate in the demonstration as long as the safety of children is not compromised.

The demonstration is not currently expected to affect health care services. “We've encouraged our members to participate but to do so on their free time,” says Rauno Vesivalo, the chairperson of the Union of Health and Social Care Professionals in Finland (Tehy).

“I believe quite a lot of people will turn up because the sector is upset and buses have already been chartered.”

Silja Paavola, the chairperson of the Finnish Union of Practical Nurses (Super), expects some union members to take part in the demonstration while on duty. She underlines, however, that no facilities will close their doors and that patient safety will not be compromised under any circumstances.

Marjukka Liiten, Paavo Teittinen – HS

Aleksi Teivainen – HT

© HELSINGIN SANOMAT

Photo: Juhani Niiranen / HS