Finnish sawmill workers’ strike ends

The Finnish sawmill workers’ strike has ended after employers struck a deal with the Wood and Allied Workers’ Union on Thursday night.

The strike lasted nearly a week, affecting 33 mill operations and about 4,000 workers, and was due to have been escalated on Friday but negotiators came to an agreement on a 18-month deal which sees workers gain a 1.1% salary rise, as well as a local supplement of 0.8%.

The strike affected Stora Enso, UPM, Metsäliitto, Vapo Timber and Versowood mills. It was due to have been extended today to all members of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation.

The action had been supported by Swedish woodworkers union GS, which had promised to block any order increases at Stora Enso's Swedish plants during the strike.