Helsinki bus strike spreads to more cities

A bus strike in Finland's capital has spread to six other cities.

Helsingin Sanomat reports that Jyvaskyla, Kuopio, Lahti, Oulu and Pori had little service on Friday with a handful of buses on the road operated by managers and non-union staff members.

The Finnish Road Transport Workers' Union struck three bus companies in the Greater Helsinki area on Tuesday. On Thursday, the union decided to spread the walkout to five more companies belonging to the Road Transport Employers Union.

The owners' group says that the strike is illegal. So far there have been no negotiations.

The union says the main issue is one company's decision to set up schedules that benefit part-time and temporary drivers.

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