Sakari Laukkanen, the entrepreneur of Teippar, an advertising factory that manufactures industrial signs in Kemi, is calling for equal participation from everyone in the savings talks. He has issued a layoff warning to his entire staff on Friday, estimating that two or three out of a workforce of eight may have to be laid off. The strikes, planned for two weeks, are now set to last at least four weeks, until April 7.
The impact of the long-lasting strikes is starting to show in the activities of entrepreneurs. Laukkanen compares the situation to the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. At Mainostehdas Teippari, the strikes have led to order cancellations and delays in material delivery, affecting the company’s majority of industrial customers. The strikes are a response to government reforms that weaken employees’ strike opportunities and oppose cuts in social security and the increase of workplace-specific agreements.
Laukkanen feels that strikes against a democratically elected government are not the solution and hopes for an end to the strikes. He stresses the need for all stakeholders to participate in discussions about fixing the economy. If the strikes continue, it could lead to significant costs for businesses like Teippar. Laukkanen hopes for concrete suggestions from employees on how to handle this situation and emphasizes that all parties should engage in dialogue to bring an end to these strikes.
