The Finnish Labour Court has ruled that a walkout at Helsinki Airport by members of the Aviation Union (IAU) last December was illegal. The Service Sector Employers’ group, Palta, announced the decision on Friday.
The Labour Court ordered the IAU and its three chapters to pay a fine of 67,000 euros.
Palta said that the decision was expected, but argued that the fine was quite small in relation to the damage caused. According to Palta, the walkout on December 2 halted nearly all air traffic at Helsinki Airport, Finland’s main aviation hub.
The IAU said that the December walkout was due to a shop stewards' hearing held at Finnair Technical Services, which was related to the labour dispute between Palta and IAU that was being considered at the labour court.
The union organised a string of further strikes during the spring and summer after the collective agreement for the sector had expired. These strikes have been declared to be legal.
The two sides in the dispute finally reached a new contract deal in mid-July.
