Shipbuilder Aker Finnyards to cut 315 jobs in Finland

Number of dismissals only half of original estimate

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Shipbuilding company Aker Finnyards will cut 315 jobs from its three Finnish shipyards. The company initiated negotiations with employee representatives in early November, announcing at the time that the necessary reductions would amount to 700 people.
      According to the Aker Finnyards press release, the activity level at the company’s shipyards has improved since the start of the talks.
      The Aker Finnyards shipyards are located in Helsinki, Turku, and Rauma. They employ a total of some 4,000 people, with Turku accounting for half the total.
     
In late summer last year, 500 employees were still temporarily laid off from the Helsinki shipyard. Part of them have now been called back to work thanks to new orders.
      Chief shop steward Mikko Mielonen from the Helsinki shipyard reported on Tuesday that 110 jobs will be cut in Helsinki. These employees are among those who are already laid off.
      Although Mielonen would have liked the company to avoid dismissals, he is pleased that the number of job cuts was smaller than originally feared.
     
Aker Yards, the Norwegian parent company of Aker Finnyards, announced last autumn that it would merge all three of its Finnish shipyards into one organisation from the beginning of this year. The new entity, or Aker Finnyards, has an annual turnover of some one billion euros.
      Aker Yards said on Tuesday that it has calculated that it will receive annual synergy benefits of 20 million euros from the restructuring.
      The Helsinki and Turku shipyards have focused on luxury cruise liners and technically demanding ships, with Rauma building ferries.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Aker Yards warn of dismissals for 700 staff in Finland (10.11.2004)

Links:
  Aker Finnyards press release

Helsingin Sanomat