Unions Commenced Strike Action at UPM Finnish Mills

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The members belonging to the Paperworkers’ Union, the Finnish Electrical Workers´ Union and the Trade Union Pro started strike action at UPM Finnish mills in Jämsänkoski, Kouvola, Lappeenranta, Pietarsaari, Rauma, Tampere and Valkeakoski. The strikes will continue until 6PM on 22nd Janaury this year, provided a new collective labour agreement is not reached before that.

The businesses that are being hit by the strike include UPM Pulp, UPM Biofuels, UPM Communication Papers, UPM Specialty Papers and UPM Raflatac. Meantime, UPM Plywood and UPM Timber, which had signed business specific collective agreements with the Industrial Union last month, has not been affected by the strike. Also, operations at UPM Energy remain unaffected, the company press release said.

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It must be noted that the previous collective agreements between the Finnish Forest Industries Federation and the Paperworkers’ Union, the Finnish Electrical Workers´ Union and the Trade Union Pro had expired on 31st December, 2021. The company had been in efforts to initiate negotiations with the Paperworkers’ Union, but there has been no response.

Meantime, the temporary terms of labour announced in November will remain in effect until a new agreement is reached. UPM will pay additional fixed-term compensation to those who come to work at mills under strike.