Union reps in place at Hanhikivi nuclear-plant project site in Finland

Fennovoima said this week that labor union representatives began working at the construction site of its Hanhikivi 1 nuclear plant in Pyhajoki, Finland, on the Hanhikivi peninsula.

The agreement between Finnish labor, project manager RAOS Project Oy and Fennovoima requires that there is a common shop steward and a general health and safety representative at the site.

Mikko Lehtelä was chosen to serve as the general health and safety representative, and Jouni Karekivi will appointed steward of the common shop. Both represent associated labor unions in relation to the construction of the nuclear plant.

“It’s great to be involved in such a unique project and to have the opportunity to help make sure that employment issues at a big, international construction site are handled in compliance with Finnish labor laws already at the early stages of the project,” both said in a statement.

Both were selected by the Finnish Construction Trade Union after an interview process. The site’s agreement is also associated with Trade Union Pro, the Finnish Electrical Union and the Finnish Metalworkers Union.
 
Fennovoima said the plant is expected to be operational by 2024.