Around 30,000 financial services staff in Finland are set to go on a three day strike next week, leaving virtually all bank branches closed and online, ATM and in-store services subject to disruption.
The strike, which is over pay and begins on Monday, was confirmed yesterday by the trade union Suora and the Federation of Professional and Managerial Staff after a proposal from a government arbitrator was rejected.
The Federation of Finnish Financial Services says the vast majority of branches will be closed during the strike.
Most electronic services should work but the federation warns that some providers might need to shut down their information systems, affecting online banking, electronic payments and POS transactions.
Says the federation: "How the services function may vary in individual banks and finance houses, and delays may occur in fixing failures. Each service provider informs its own customers of any changes in its services."
Nasdaq OMX Helsinki says it aims to stay open for business and has taken steps to ensure that exchange trading and market surveillance operations can function properly. It warns though that market disturbances are possible.