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20 March, 2006
Canadian paperworkers and hundreds of supporters marched in Nova Scotia on 18 March, angry over an imposed lockout by Stora Enso. The march and rally drew about 2,500 in the town Port Hawkesbury. Some 600 members of ICEM affiliate Communications, Energy, Paperworkers (CEP) were locked-out on 26 January 2006 by the Swedish-Finnish paper company, now the world’s largest forest products concern.
The key issue separating CEP Local 972 and Stora Enso is one covering contracting-out policies. The company is intent on breaking from the pattern acceptance on contract labour provisions by other paper manufacturers in eastern Canada. Coming just seven months after a Finnish paper sector lockout led by Stora Enso, the lockout in Nova Scotia has caught the attention of scores of national trade unions.
The company’s Works Council made a strong statement in support of the CEP branch union at its 8-9 March meetings, and an ICEM Circular produced an unprecedented stream of protests to Stora Enso CEO Jukka Härmälä in Finland. CEP Local 972 received earnest solidarity from scores of national trade unions, as well.
Finnish Paperiliitto President and ICEM Paper Sector Chairman Jouko Ahonen wrote, “Your struggle is our struggle, as last year our struggle was your struggle. We were not alone last summer and you are not—and will not be—alone in this dispute. You can be also sure that the brave struggle of your Local and its members enjoys sympathy and admiration of Finnish people.”
The Works Council resolution states: “Stora Enso has refused to accept the Eastern Canada Pattern Settlement and wants to outsource jobs. These demands are completely different from local traditions and also different from collective agreements with other companies. Stora Enso must understand that this kind of activity does not lead to any kind of good result; on the contrary, it will cause immense suffering for everybody involved.”
The 18 March event was led by CEP President Brian Payne and a number of local dignitaries attended, including provincial New Democratic Party leader Darrell Dexter attended. Local union members, however, were disappointed that Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald, who is from a nearby town heavily populated by paperworkers, failed to attend.