The Aviation Union (IAU) has initiated a two-hour strike today from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., impacting all Finnish airports.
The union’s action stems from a dispute with Finnair over the airline’s decision to terminate the employment of two union representatives.
You can access Finnair here.
The Dispute
IAU claims the dismissals are unjustified, alleging Finnair cited safety concerns tied to the representatives’ submission of evidence to a labor court. The strike coincides with the hearing addressing these terminations, marking a direct challenge to Finnair’s actions.
Affected Services
The strike will disrupt several critical airport operations, including:
- Ground handling and catering services
- Cargo and technical support
- Security screening and air traffic control systems
Finnair’s Response
Finnair has warned of potential flight delays and cancellations, stating that the exact impact is still being assessed. The airline is working to notify passengers of changes and is urging travelers to monitor updates and check their flight statuses.
“We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers and are doing our best to minimize the disruption,” said Finnair’s Communications Manager, Suvi Aaltonen.
Advice for Travelers
Passengers flying during the strike hours are encouraged to stay informed via Finnair’s official channels and prepare for possible schedule changes. This developing situation adds another layer of complexity for travelers during the busy holiday season.
Finnair’s Announcement (translation from Finnish to English):
The Illegal Strike by IAU Affects Finnair’s Operations Today
The Aviation Union (IAU) has announced a strike affecting ground operations at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. According to the IAU, the illegal strike will take place today, Monday, December 2, from 2:00 PM to 4:15 PM. Ground service employees are involved in tasks such as aircraft maintenance, catering services, customer service at Helsinki-Vantaa, and ground handling tasks like baggage loading.
If carried out on a large scale, this illegal strike will have significant impacts on Finnair’s operations, causing flight delays and cancellations. It will also affect the loading of meals onto flights and the handling of baggage and cargo. It is possible that meals and baggage cannot be loaded onto some of the flights being operated.
“We deeply regret that this illegal strike disrupts our customers’ travel plans. We aim to communicate directly with customers whose flights are affected, but unfortunately, last-minute changes are also possible. We recommend customers pack essential items, such as medications, in their hand luggage,” says Jaakko Schildt, Finnair’s Chief Operating Officer.
If a flight is canceled or a customer misses a connecting flight due to the strike, Finnair will provide re-routing and accommodation if necessary.
According to Finnair, the strike is related to discussions involving two Finnair employees. These discussions concern the unauthorized disclosure of internal company information.
Two Finnair employees have shared internal, confidential information with external parties without seeking Finnair’s permission or following Finnair’s data security guidelines. The disclosed information does not contain customer data.
Finnair immediately launched an investigation into the matter upon discovery and has provided the employees involved with an opportunity to be heard, as per normal procedure. This hearing process also ensures the legal rights of the individuals concerned. Finnair has also reported the incident to Traficom and the Data Protection Ombudsman.
“We consider this illegal strike and the disruption of travel plans for thousands of customers to be completely disproportionate and irresponsible, especially as the investigation and hearing process is still ongoing,” states Jaakko Schildt.
Finnair’s stance on inappropriate behavior, violations, and intentional misconduct is consistent regardless of the individual’s role or position within the company.
Conclusion
A friend messaged me from Helsinki—Vantaa that they are sitting on the plane that should have already taken off but that the cargo hasn’t even been loaded. Finnair may dispatch some flights without catering or cargo.
This dispute stems from Finnair’s firing of two employees who were union representatives (a big nono), which the union deemed unlawful.
It seems that labor relations inside Finnair are not good right now, as the cockpit crew will be striking for two days this month (read more here), resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights.
This strike action is due to Finnair’s firing of two employees; thus, it is within their control. If their flights are significantly delayed or canceled, affected passengers should seek compensation per EC 261/2004.
