Strikes commence at Sartorius facility in Kajaani as workers demand higher wages

A series of strikes commenced on Tuesday as industrial workers aimed to expedite their collective bargaining negotiations. At the Sartorius facility in Kajaani, a German corporation, 98 out of 125 workers belong to the Industrial Union, and nearly all union members are currently participating in the strike. Sartorius specializes in producing equipment for analyzing and dispensing liquids.

Ulla Tuovinen, the chief union representative, stated that discussions among members have clarified the reasons and goals for the strike. Workers are advocating for higher wages and the need to address ambiguous sections in the labor agreement.

Tuovinen noted that it was easy to justify a one-day strike to the members. “There haven’t been many applicants for work lately. A few chose not to strike, but the majority understands that we need to increase purchasing power,” she explained.

Mikko Kähkönen, the regional officer for the Industrial Union in Northern Finland, mentioned that the strike is a core action of the labor movement. He called for a 10 percent wage increase, emphasizing that salaries must be restored to counter the adverse effects of inflation. “Some owners have said that our wage target is unreasonable. I ask, was the 2021 wage level unreasonable? That’s where salaries would return if we achieve our goal,” Kähkönen stated.

The strikes are having a significant impact on Normet, a company in Iisalmi that manufactures mining equipment. December is crucial for deliveries, and disruptions in supply reliability are making operations more challenging. Normet employs about 500 people, and CEO Kalle Sipilä refrained from estimating how many are striking, but he anticipated minimal output on the day of the strike.

Preparations have been made at Normet to complete as much work ahead of the strike as possible. “We can manage the impact of one day, but we are concerned about what lies ahead,” Sipilä remarked.

Meanwhile, Kesla, which manufactures forest machinery in Joensuu, Ilomants, and Kesälahti, has also come to a halt due to the strike, impacting about 80 percent of its workforce—roughly 200 workers. Kesla’s CEO, Pasi Nieminen, expressed hope for a resolution in negotiations, acknowledging the adverse effects of the strike on daily operations. “The market situation in Finnish industry is challenging, and additional complications are the last thing operators need,” Nieminen pointed out.