PAM to extend strikes in the commercial sector
The collective agreement negotiations in the commercial sector are currently being led by the National Conciliator’s Office. No significant progress has been made in the negotiations. As a result, the strikes announced by Service Union United PAM in the commercial sector will continue on the week of 24 February.
“The negotiations have not advanced sufficiently in terms of clarifying the rules for agency work, ensuring that employees have sufficient hours to make a living wage and removing the kiky hours. Therefore we are proceeding according to the decision made by the PAM Executive Committee on 31 January and announcing further strikes in the commercial sector,” explains Annika Rönni-Sällinen, president of PAM.
If no agreement is reached before then, all Kesko warehouses and all K-Citymarket locations will be on strike during the week of 24 February. On Monday, 24 February, at 6 AM, Kesko Logistics, the Kesko Logistics freezer storage, all Kespro wholesale locations as well as Kesko Logistics terminals in Tampere, Turku, Kuopio and Oulu will go on strike. The strike in these locations will end at midnight on Friday, 28 February.
A strike of all K-Citymarket locations will begin on Thursday 27 February at 6 AM. The strike will end at midnight on Friday, 28 February. The strike covers all work in both the home and speciality goods as well as the grocery product areas.
PAM has previously announced strikes for the week of 17 February, pertaining to all Prisma locations under local cooperatives as well as Inex Sipoo Logistics Centre, a part of S Group.
“The strikes are not our goal, collective agreements are. We hope we will be able to reach an agreement soon as this is easier for all. If anyhow the strikes do happen, we do not expect the stores to be entirely closed”, says Annika Rönni-Sällinen.
More information on the strike locations and other issues relating to industrial action can be found on the PAM website www.pam.fi/en/strike.