Finnish dock strike talks resume
HELSINKI (AFP) - Finnish dock workers and management resumed talks on Tuesday aimed at ending a strike that has crippled the export-reliant country's foreign trade, an official said.
RELATED NEWS:
• Dock strike hits Finland's key industries
All of Finland's commercial ports ground to a halt on Thursday when 3,000 dockers walked out following the collapse of negotiations for a collective labour deal.
The two sides arrived for a meeting called by National Conciliator Esa Lonka on Tuesday, a spokeswoman for his office told AFP, adding it was impossible to say how long the talks would last.
No end-date has been announced for the strike, which observers see as a blow to the recession-hit Nordic country's economy and reputation.
Around 80 percent of Finland's foreign trade travels through its ports, and industry representatives have estimated the strike is costing 110 million euros (140 million dollars) in lost exports every day.
The key forestry industry has been hit particularly hard, and top magazine paper maker UPM-Kymmene has already announced mill closures.
Last Updated (Wednesday, 10 March 2010 17:04)
