Unions discuss possible support measures for paper workers
Paper union's rejection of mediation proposal dampens worker solidarity
Erkki Vuorenmaa
|
|
|
A number of Finnish trade unions affiliated with the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) are considering possible measures to support the Paperworkers' Union in its present labour dispute.
However, there were rumblings from the SAK's largest industrial union, the Metalworkers' Union, suggesting that not much support might be forthcoming after the paper workers' rejection of the settlement proposal.
Meanwhile, Sweden's Paper Workers Union indicated during the weekend, that it is ready to extend more support to the Finnish paper workers.
Metalworkers' Union President Erkki Vuorenmaa said on Sunday that it would be "very difficult" for the union to enact extensive support action after the Paperworkers' Union rejected a mediation proposal that largely followed the lines of the autumn's incomes agreement.
Meanwhile, Ilkka Joenpalo, President of the Union of Salaried Employees (TU), said on a television interview programme that his union will not implement support measures. He also said that he was surprised at the Paperworkers' Union's decision to reject the mediation proposal.
TU's own negotiations with the Forest Industries' Federation are still continuing, and Joenpalo said that TU will back its "own negotiators".
The Chemical Workers' Union has said that it will support the Paperworkers' Union, if the paper workers feel that employer demands "considerably weaken" the present situation.
The Construction Union has decided that 200 of its employees will hold a support strike on Tuesday, and the Wood and Allied Workers' Union is holding a one-day stoppage on Thursday.
Lennart Olovsson, head of Sweden's Paper Workers Union said that his union is willing to expand its support to the Finnish union. It is also keeping in force the ban on overtime work that it imposed from the beginning of this month.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Olovsson says that he understands why the Finnish union rejected the mediation proposal. He said that the proposal contained parts in which the influence wielded by wage earners is restricted, or completely eliminated.
"Our expression of solidarity is necessary in this time of globalisation. Employers want to pit wage earners against each other, and to push through backward steps first in one, and then in another country."
Helsingin Sanomat
|
| 6.6.2005 - TODAY |
 Unions discuss possible support measures for paper workers |
|
