JHL: Two-day work stoppage of train conductors in the HSL area

Trade Union JHL has declared a two days long work stoppage on Thursday and Friday this week in the Helsinki Metropolitan Region. The work stoppage concerns the work duties covered by the railway sector collective agreement in commuter traffic. This work stoppage is organised to protest against a plan to replace the railway company VR’s train conductors with security stewards in commuter traffic in the HSL region.

The President of JHL Håkan Ekström says that the trade union does not accept the way the employer tries to benefit from a cheaper collective agreement. VR plans to replace the train conductors in commuter trains in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area with security stewards, whose collective agreement is cheaper for the employer.

– The number of conductors in the HSL region has been reduced every year as proposed by HSL. This reduction has resulted into poorer security and safety in commuter traffic trains. That affects both the passengers and the personnel who work with them.

– Now VR and HSL have agreed on “a new service model”. In the model in practice all remaining conductors are replaced with security stewards. VR has initiated cooperation negotiations that threaten the jobs of 130 out of the total of 163 commuter train conductors

Ekström asks how VR can have “Together towards a better world” as their company vision.

– How can terminating one group of professionals and deteriorating a good passenger experience help the company towards a better world?

Trade Union JHL sees a clear need for conductors in trains.

– The conductor gives advice on routes, helps to purchase tickets and ensures smooth travelling for everyone – including the elderly, people with reduced mobility and passengers who travel with children. That is good service. The help of a conductor is indispensable for many passenger groups. Removing the conductors makes public transport less accessible.

– A conductor is a specialised train professional who takes care of the passengers’ safety, maintains order and helps in emergencies. If conductors are replaced with security stewards, the good service and passenger experience are lost.

The industrial action starts on Thursday 8 May at 12.01 am and ends on Friday 9 May at 11.59 pm. It concerns all work shifts that start during this time interval. 

More information:

Håkan Ekström, President of JHL, 040 828 2865