The postal strike in Finland lasted for 16 days and the sympathy strikes that continued among harbor workers, aviation personnel and local transport areas in Helsinki affected both Helsinki residents and foreign travelers to and from Finland.

When the new agreement was signed yesterday, parts of the shipping companies' passenger traffic between Sweden and Finland were also resumed.

Before the media yesterday, the parties to the conflict announced that an agreement was reached. The negotiations, which have been ongoing since September, reached a solution that both parties are satisfied with.

The employer is cautiously upbeat

Tuomas Aarto, who represents the employer site, Palta, said in a comment:

- I see that Posten's conditions take a step forward with the new agreement. We could have done even more, but it must be added to the future.

The dispute concerned the agreement that involved 700 parcel handlers at the Finnish Post. The state-owned Posten wanted to move the employees to a subsidiary in order to conclude a cheaper labor contract. The move will go away but with retained benefits provided by the old agreement.

The tray is satisfied

Heini Nieminen, Chairman of PAU, who represented the employees in the negotiations, says:

- Clearly I am satisfied that we managed to secure the employment as it has been. It has been the most important thing for me to achieve all the time.

The more than two-week strike affected the postal delivery throughout Finland. The sympathy measures halted all ferry traffic between Sweden and Finland and also flights from Vantaa Airport in Helsinki, during one day.

Boat traffic is now resumed but still during Friday the shipping companies announced some canceled trips.