Estonian meat workers strike

Slaughterhouse workers at Rakvere, Estonia struck spontaneously in October 2017 at the repeated refusal by their employer, the Finnish transnational HK Scan, to offer a pay rise.

Following the strike the workers were organized by local union IMTAL which is affiliated to the Estonian Trade Union confederation (EAKL). The union entered into formal negotiations with HK Scan but the company obstinately refused any pay increase.

The State provided a national conciliator who proposed a compromise but this was also rejected by the employer.

A final attempt to negotiate a settlement on February 1 failed and the workers began a new strike on February 6.

The IUF has sent a message of solidarity to the Estonian union and is keeping in close contact with our Finnish affiliate SEL which is offering practical support to the strikers and monitoring the situation.