Swedish paper mill strikes averted
Further strikes at Swedish paper mills have been averted following agreements reached between unions and employers over pay increases.
The Swedish paper workers union, Svenska Pappers, recently agreed to terms put forward by employers, just 22 minutes before six more mills were due to go on strike.
A 3.3% pay increase for the oncoming 22 months has been accepted by the Union. The first increase will be given on 1 May 2010 and the second on 1 April 2011.
Svenska Pappers also gained an additional month of company paid maternity/paternity leave for its members.
The employers' Forest Industry Association, Skogsindustrierna (SFIF), together with Svenska Papers, had failed to agree on new terms for an outstanding labour agreement, expiring on 31 March 2010.
All Swedish mills have an overtime ban, and a blockade of temporary and labour agency workers, began at the mills on 12 April.
Billerud Skarblacka, Holmen Braviken, Holmen Iggesund mill in Korsnas, Stora Enso Skoghall mill, SCA Packaging in Munksund and Sodra Cell Varo went on strike on 16 April after further negotiations failed to reach an agreement
More strikes were planned for 26 April starting at 6pm at Billerud's Gruvön mill, SCA's containerboard mill in Obbola and Stora Enso's Fors mill, Smurfit Kappa's mill at Pitea, the Korsnas Frovi mill and Sodra's Monsteras pulp mill.
Union officials are now holding talks with branch unions to explain the new labour agreement.
So far, production has commenced at Sodra Varo's pulp mill.
