Technology workers strike in Finland

Photo: Technology workers strike in Finland

Wage talks between employers and technological workers failed on weekend and led to strike on Monday in Finland.

The technicians' strike, called by the 120,000-member Union of Salaried Employees, targeted selected plants of seven Finnish companies, including stainless steel maker Outokumpu Oyj, shipbuilder Aker Yards Oy and metals group Wartsila Corp.

If no agreement is reached in labor talks the union will expand the strike on Oct. 30 to 20 more companies, including the world's largest mobile phone maker, Nokia Corp. and forest products group Metso Corp., officials said.

National Conciliator Juhani Salonius, who mediated the talks between the union and employers, said the two sides were too far apart for him to propose a solution.

"We demanded 8.5 per cent (wage hike) but the employer offered only 5.9 per cent," union president Antti Rinne said.

There were no immediate plans to continue negotiations, officials said.