Smiling man in sauna holding Finnish beer, towel wrapped round his waist- Beer concern brewing in Finland: strikes at high breweries spark provide warnings.
Credit score: Shutterstock, r.classen
A bitter row over pay and dealing hours has left Finland’s high breweries going through industrial motion this week – and the nation’s beer lovers sweating over their favorite pints.
Almost 1,000 employees throughout three of the nation’s greatest beer producers – Hartwall, Olvi, and Sinebrychoff – have downed instruments in a strike that’s set to final till March 28. And whereas breweries insist the faucets received’t run dry, retailers are sounding the alarm and making ready for a possible beer scarcity.
The walkout, led by the Finnish Meals Employees’ Union (SEL), is a part of a wider dispute over collective agreements affecting 1000’s throughout Finland’s food and drinks industries, together with the bakery, meat, dairy and beverage sectors.
Regardless of weeks of mediation, no breakthrough has been reached. Nationwide conciliator Janne Metsämäki confirmed to native media that two settlement proposals had already been floated – and the newest was rejected by SEL’s union council, regardless that employers had been able to log off on it.
Is Finnish beer in peril?
SEL chair Veli-Matti Kuntonen stated additional talks are ongoing, however warned:
“The strike will undoubtedly have an effect, however it’s troublesome to foretell how properly corporations have ready prematurely,” chatting with the native press.
The breweries concerned produce a few of Finland’s most interesting and hottest pints – together with Olvi, Sandels, Karhu and Koff – and the strike impacts not simply manufacturing, but in addition logistics and warehouse operations in cities like Lahti, Iisalmi, Kerava and Helsinki.
Whereas the brewers have all insisted there’s no quick hazard of beer shortages, having ramped up manufacturing and stockpiled prematurely, retailers aren’t so positive.
And it’s not simply ale beneath risk – house limitations may additionally trigger gaps on cabinets.
What’s the meat?
On the coronary heart of the dispute are working time preparations and wages. Based on SEL, the newest provide from employers nonetheless represents a step backwards – weakening present protections for employees.
Talks, which started in early February, have but to yield a compromise.
For now, the breweries insist it’s enterprise as regular. But when negotiations fizz out and the strike drags on, consumers may discover extra than simply lager lacking from the cabinets – they might be left excessive and dry.
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