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15 May, 2006
ICEM’s paperworkers’ union affiliate in Finland, Paperiliitto, began a 48-hour strike today at some 64 paper mills owned by companies affiliated with the Finnish employers’ organisation, Forest Industries Federation. The strike by 20,000 Finnish workers is in protest to the harsh social measures through which the industry has chosen to improve profitability.
The strikes, begun at 6h00 today and are set to run until 6h00 on 17 May, affecting all major paper firms including Stora Enso and UPM Kymmene. Other mills and paper converters owned by M-real, Metsä Tissue, Myllykoski, and other, smaller companies are also affected. Paperiliitto’s Executive Committee decided to allow Stora Enso’s mill at Panakoski and UPM Kymmene’s mill at Voikkaa mill to operate. Stora has the Panakoski mill up for sale, while UPM intends to shut down the Voikkaa mill by year end, even though it is a viable operation that could be sold.
On 17 May, office workers across the Finnish paper sector, represented by the Union of Salaried Workers Trade Union, will strike for 24 hours in similar protest.
Stora and UPM, the largest Nordic paper companies, announced broad restructuring plans of late. In order to cut production capacity to maintain high prices, Stora Enso announced in the last quarter of 2005 that it would slash 2,000 jobs and close 10 mills worldwide. UPM Kymmene said it would cut 2,560 jobs, and that three mills in Finland would be shuttered. The other companies have also cut jobs in Finland, although at smaller numbers.
Paperiliitto President Jouko Ahonen, chairman of ICEM’s Pulp and Paper Sector, said the cuts to jobs and workers’ livelihoods reflect a disturbing trend as to social awareness by the paper manufacturers. “Finland has moved to a management culture where shareholders are now the priority,” he said. “Paperworkers feel deeply insulted at the way they have been treated by employers.”