Union leader Ahonen proposes partial settlement for paper dispute

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The President of the Finnish Paperworkers’ Union, Jouko Ahonen, is proposing a partial solution to the labour dispute in the pulp and paper industry.
      In a number of statements made to the media on Monday, Ahonen called for the signing of a labour contract this week to end the ongoing employer lockout. Under the proposal, the more difficult questions - especially the future of the Christmas and Midsummer production shutdowns - would be dealt with separately by a working group.
      Ahonen’s proposal follows the lines .laid out earlier by Lauri Ihalainen, President of the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK).
      Ahonen complained that because of the tense situation, nothing seems to be moving forward, and that a working group could resolve some of the more difficult problems in the autumn in a more relaxed situation. He says that he proposed a similar model already in the winter, but was rejected.
     
On the employers’ side, Arto Tähtinen, Senior Vice President for Labour Market Policy at the Finnish Forest Industries Federation said that he did not want to comment on the proposal while the dispute was under mediation.
      "These kinds of proposals should go through the conciliator."


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Union leader denies paper workers want additional four weeks off (23.5.2005)
  Paperworkers Union denounces industry lockout as irresponsible (20.5.2005)
  Paper lockout begins - shortage of products feared in coming weeks (19.5.2005)
  Paper manufacturers threaten to keep mills closed until contract is reached (18.5.2005)

Helsingin Sanomat