The strike that had threatened to engulf Finland’s food industry today (26 May) was cancelled after last-minute negotiations last night saw an agreement reached between unions and employers.

The agreement was narrowly accepted by the Finnish Food Workers Union (FFWU) and the Finnish Food and Drink Industries Federation.

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A spokesperson for the FFWU told just-food that the compromise agreement, presented by Finland’s state labour mediator service, was a four-year deal that makes provision for a 1.5% pay increase in the first year as well as index-related pay increases for the remaining three years.

“This is a minimum, but we are satisfied,” the spokesperson said.

Employers had been pushing for extended working hours – including ten-hour working days and six-day weeks. In the baking sector, the sides agreed to extended working on a voluntary basis while the meat sector will examine the issue at a later date.

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