Food Industry Strike Begins

A three-day strike by food industry workers began on Wednesday. On Tuesday evening, the Finnish Food Workers' Union turned down a settlement proposal put forward by National Conciliator Esa Lonka.

The job action affects a dozen large food production facilities and 4,500 workers across Finland.

The strike may leave some store shelves empty. Bread and ready-made meals are likely to be the first items to run out.

The main disagreements concern wages and working hours.

The Food Workers' Union said the proposal would have paved the way for employees to work 10-hour days and six-day work weeks without overtime pay.

Both sides have said they remain far from reaching a compromise.

New Strike Warning Issued

The Food Workers' Union also issued a new strike warning, which would close down 57 food production units for three days starting April 21 if no agreement is forthcoming.