Paper manufacturers threaten to keep mills closed until contract is reached

"Constant shutdowns and startups damage machinery and hurt environment"

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Finland’s pulp and paper industry threatens to keep its mills shut down until a labour contract is reached in the sector. No progress was made in Tuesday’s negotiations held at the offices of National Conciliator Juhani Salonius, and today, Wednesday, an employer lockout took effect immediately after a two-day strike by paper workers came to an end.
      During the talks on Tuesday, the Finnish Forest Industries Federation announced an extension of its two-week lockout by another two weeks.
      The Finnish Paperworkers’ Union, meanwhile, declared a strike on three plants that the industry had excluded from the lockout.
     
Forest Industries Federation President Timo Poranen said that the lockouts could be extended further, if necessary. In a press conference on Tuesday, the industry indicated that constantly shutting down and starting up paper factories damages the machinery and hurts the environment. Also, after a startup, it always takes some time before the final product is of even quality.
      The management side announced the extension of the lockout immediately after the conclusion of Tuesday’s mediation.
      No progress was made in the key disputes, such as the Christmas and Midsummer shutdowns, which the employers want to eliminate, and moves by the industry to use more subcontracted labour.
      Arto Tähtinen, the Forest Industries Federation’s Senior Vice President for Labour Market Policy, said that the issue of sick leave will also be part of the talks.
      The two sides will hold their next meeting on Friday. Juhani Salonius said that he hopes that the announced lockout would encourage both sides to solve the dispute as quickly as possible.
     
Paperworkers’ Union President Jouko Ahonen took full advantage of the news of the extended lockout.
      He expressed wonder at how the employers could afford to keep production shut down for a month, when it claims that the whole sector is in crisis.
      The lockout does not apply to nearly 3,500 employees affiliated with the Metalworkers’, Construction, and Electrical Workers’ unions, and about 7,000 office workers.
      The trade unions representing these groups have advised their members in the paper industry to report to work as normal. The Metalworkers’ Union had warned of possible court action against the Forest Industries’ Federation if the union’s members are prevented from working.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Sweden's paper workers in overtime ban to support Finnish strikers (17.5.2005)
  Two-day strike shuts down entire Finnish pulp and paper industry (16.5.2005)

Links:
  Finnish Forest Industries Federation press release: The employers want to stop continous shutdowns by lockout
  Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) website: Pulp and paper industry strike begins in Finland
  Finnish Paperworkers' Union: The struggle is hardening in the Finnish paper industry

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