Finnish dockworkers Thursday went on strike after overnight mediation failed, with the action expected to affect 80 per cent of exports, according to dpa. Shortages of imported fruit and other fresh produce care anticpiated if the strike drags on. National conciliator Esa Lonka was unable to present a compromise proposal between the Transport Workers' Union (AKT) and the Finnish Port Operators Association. Lonka did not schedule a new meeting with the parties. The port operators association groups 43 member companies in 25 ports. The forest and paper industry on Wednesday warned of the negative effects of the strike. It was "threatening jobs in Finland and eroding Finnish factories' chances in international competition," Finnish Forest Industries Federation Chairman Kari Jordan said. The forestry federation estimated the costs at 30 million euros (40 million dollars) each day. The dockworkers strike was mainly over severance payment and redundancy terms as part of a collective agreement. Citing public interest, the labour minister in February ordered a two-week freeze on any labour action while the national conciliator was mediating in the conflict. The AKT union on Wednesday ended a day-long strike that impacted bus services in several cities and also regional bus links.
