The Helsinki District Court has ruled that heat production and water treatment at UPM’s mills must be excluded from the parameters of the paper union strike.
The forestry company UPM applied for precautionary measures and the Helsinki District Court issued its decision on Friday after hearing both parties.
The court therefore ruled that the Paper Association must end a strike at all of UPM’s mills that jeopardizes the critical functioning of society or threatens a fine of two million euros.
"This was an important judgment. The right to strike is widespread in Finland, but strikes must also be carried out responsibly and in accordance with the interests of society." said the Executive Vice President of Stakeholder Relations, Pirkko HarrelaIn a UPM press release.
The measure concerns UPM’s and its subsidiaries’ power and water treatment plants in Jämsänkoski, Lappeenranta, Kouvola, Rauma and Valkeakoski, as well as the Pietarsaari water treatment plant.
The strike at UPM’s mills is currently in its third week. It started on New Year’s Day on January 1st. The paper workers ’union said the strike could continue until February 19, as they continued operations for two weeks on Thursday.
The union justifies extending the strike on the grounds that its initiatives have not been welcomed by UPM. According to the union, the forest giant has announced that negotiations will only be initiated if they are company-specific and on company terms.
UPM employees are on strike after the current employee collective bargaining agreement expired on 31 December. UPM and trade union representatives have not yet been able to negotiate a new agreement.
Source: The Nordic Page