A strike affecting Finland's major breweries — Hartwall, Olvi and Sinebrychoff — begins at 9 pm on Sunday, involving nearly 1,000 workers. The industrial action, organised by the Finnish Food Workers' Union (SEL), is set to continue until 28 March.
National conciliator Janne Metsämäki confirmed that no agreement was reached in mediation efforts on Saturday. According to SEL chair Veli-Matti Kuntonen, negotiations will not resume until early next week, with further mediation expected on Monday at the earliest.
Despite the strike, major breweries have stated that beer supplies in stores will not run out. However, Kuntonen stated that the effects of the strike will still be visible, though less immediately than in industries dealing with perishable goods.
"The strike will undoubtedly have an impact, but it is difficult to predict how well companies have prepared in advance," he said.
The dispute is part of broader negotiations over collective agreements for workers in the bakery, meat, dairy, food manufacturing and beverage industries.
Metsämäki had previously presented two settlement proposals, the latest of which was rejected unanimously by SEL's union council on Thursday, while the Finnish Food and Drink Industries' Federation (ETL) was prepared to accept it.
SEL has also issued a strike warning affecting around 4,000 food sector workers at 13 workplaces. The affected companies include food processing firms Atria, HKFoods and Saarioinen.
If that strike proceeds as planned, it will start on 25 March and last for three days.