Strikes 11-24 March, 25-31 March and 1-7 April

Why are unions opposed to the government programme?

• All the impairments and cuts in the government programme will only affect one group: workers.
• The decisions are justified by referring to central government finances, even though at the same time the taxation of high-income earners will be significantly reduced. Ten euros a month for a chef and a thousand euros a year for a CEO is a rough but apt description of how money will be distributed.
• As the first thing it will do, the Government will restrict the right to strike. The purpose is to prevent workers from protesting against the Government’s other cuts and impairments.
• The Government will directly fulfil the goals of business organisations. The goals of the employee side will not be taken into account in any way.
• If implemented, the package will be more drastic than the Competitiveness Pact. Earnings-related unemployment allowance will be completely eroded, and salary payments will be cut off quickly in situations of change.

1. Who is within the scope of the strike?

Separately selected workplaces will be participating in the strike. The workplaces participating 11 March to 7 April are Neste – Kemin terminaali, Neste – Kokkolan terminaali, Neste – Naantalin satama, Neste – Naantalin jakeluterminaali, Neste – Porvoon satama, Neste – Porvoon jakeluterminaali, Okmetic – Vantaa, Outokumpu Chrome – Tornion tehdas, Outokumpu Stainless – Tornio, SSAB Europe – Raahe, SSAB Europe – Raahen Rautatehtaan ruokalaosuuskunta..

All work that is part of a collective agreement negotiated by the Industrial Union and applied at a participating workplace is within the scope of the strike.

The strike affects all workers regardless of job description or membership in the Industrial Union.

Please note: The industrial action also applies to employees of other companies if they are performing duties that fall under the relevant collective agreements in the aforementioned companies, e.g. as agency contract workers.

2. When does the strike start and when will it end?

All shifts scheduled to start between midnight on Monday 11 March and 11.59 p.m. on Sunday 7 April are within the scope of the strike.

Any shifts that begin on the previous day but continue into the strike period are to be completed.

Shifts that are scheduled to begin during the strike period will not be begun or completed. Employees will report for duty for their first shift beginning after midnight on the day following the strike period.

During the strike, production at the workplace will cease. Processes that require shutting down should be shut down before the strike begins and restored to working order after the strike has ended.

3. Are the strikes legal?

Yes, they are. Political strikes are a legal form of strike that primarily aims to achieve political or social goals instead of goals related directly to terms of employment.

The obligation to maintain industrial peace does not extend to political industrial action, which can be organised freely in a democratic society.

The right to take industrial action is a fundamental right.

4. Can my employer dismiss me if I take part in the strike?

No. When industrial action is initiated by a trade union, employers are not allowed to terminate or cancel employment contracts because of participating in the industrial action. The Industrial Union is a trade union.

The employer can and is allowed to ask you after the strike whether you worked or not during the strike to ensure correct payment of wages. Sufficient answer to the question is that you were away from work. The question is redundant if the same thing can be checked from the work time schedule.

5. What if my employer orders me to work despite the strike?

A strike is a legal measure that employers cannot interfere with for example by attempting to prevent employees from leaving the workplace or by imposing penalties. Shop stewards are also participating in the strike.

If your employer attempts to prevent you from striking, please contact the Industrial Union’s Employment Advice service by telephone at 020 690 447 weekdays between 8.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. or by email at [email protected].

6. What is the extent of the strike?

The following work is excluded from the strike: work for safeguarding human lives and health; work to prevent serious environmental threats; work at company occupational health care clinics; industrial fire brigades; and emergency work.

The chief shop stewards can negotiate with employers over which work, if any, falls inside the strike limits in the boundaries mentioned above.

Exemptions to strike limits may only be granted by the Industrial Union’s central strike committee. Employers can apply for exemptions by email to [email protected].

7. Will strike participants get strike benefits?

Yes. The governing body of the Industrial Union has decided that the stage six strike benefit of #SeriousGrounds strikes will be 166 euros a day. The benefit is paid for 7 days a week.

Strike benefits for political walkouts organised by the Industrial Union are as follows:

Of strike benefit, EUR 16 is tax-free. The remainder is taxed according to the Tax Administration’s instructions at 45%. The taxes will be paid directly to the Tax Administration.

This means that members get EUR 98.50 after tax for each strike day.

You do not need to submit your tax card.

To be entitled to strike benefits, you need to have been a member of your Industrial Union local branch for at least four days before the walkout.

8. How do I apply for strike benefits?

Go through eService on the Industrial Union website to apply for strike benefit. You will need your personal online banking details to log in.

You can apply the benefit for the strike days 11 March to 7 April as follows;

Strike days	Must be a member by	Applications open	Applications close
from 11 to 17 March	Wed 6 March	Mon 18 March	Sun 14 April
from 18 to 24 March	Wed 6 March	Mon 18 March	Sun 14 April
from 25 to 31 March	Wed 20 March	Mon 1 April	Sun 14 April
from 1 to 7 April	Wed 27 March	Mon 8 April	Sun 28 April

You should receive your benefit approximately one week after you submit the application.

If you cannot see the ‘Strike benefits’ option after logging in, please check to ensure that you have entered your workplace details into your eService profile. If the option still does not appear, please email [email protected].

Please note: You can only apply for strike benefits through the eService on the Industrial Union’s website. Strike benefit applications cannot be made through the eService on A-kassa’s website.

9. Where can I learn more about the strike?

For matters related to the strike, ask your shop steward or contact the union’s Employment Advice service by telephone at 020 690 447 weekdays between 8.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. or by email at [email protected].