The Finnish Port Operators Association has repeatedly turned down the Transport Workers Federation’s (AKT) demand that the lashing and unlashing of containers – traditionally undertaken by the vessel’s own crew – be carried out by stevedores. In a recent decision the Labour Court found the AKT’s threat that stevedores would take over the lashing work from February 4 2013 to be an illegal industrial action. The Labour Court fined the AKT again when the threat was spurred on by instigating strikes in the ports of Helsinki, Kotka and Tornio. Negotiations to settle the dispute are ongoing.
Partners Matti Komonen and Herman Ljungberg at Hammarström Puhakka Partners, Attorneys Ltd, have written an update on this matter. The update titled “Stevedores convicted repeatedly for illegal industrial actions” has been published in the International Law Office’s newsletter.
