Some port operators are recruiting non-union workers to handle the jobs of striking stevedores. Some operations have continued at Tornio, Kokkola and Vuosaari. Representatives of the stevedores says that the move is likely to affect work morale once the strike ends.
Port operator Multi-Link Terminals is continuing operations at Helsinki's Vuosaari harbour, despite the two-week old strike.
"It is legal to work in Finland, and if workers are on strike, companies have a right to make other arrangements to get work done," says the firm's CEO Dirk van Assendelft.
He does not believe that the arrangements in place now will affect job morale once the strike ends.
"Work is still so important in Finland, and there is not an awful lot of it on offer. I believe that we'll have enough enthusiastic workers in the future."
Multi-Link Terminals also intends to re-start operations at the port of Kotka and has asked police to help ensure that work can be carried out in peace.
Recruiting on Facebook
Some port work is being handled by management personnel, but also some by outsiders. On Wednesday, the company started training job-seekers willing to work during the strike who had made application through a Facebook group.
One of the founders of the Facebook group is IT sector entrepreneur Juha Viitala.
"It is hard to see how a small professional group can bring the whole country to its knees. This is a case of the interests of one small group overriding the interests of the whole of society. It is in conflict with my sense of right and wrong, and that of many other people."
Viitala and some friends were thinking of what they could do about the situation and decided to set up a Facebook group. It has about 2000 members and has spawned around 200 applications for work.
Those who have signed on for jobs are to start working for Multi-Link Terminals on Monday, if the strike has not yet ended.
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