21 April 2010
Some 3,000 paper workers at mills across Sweden are on stroke and
production at the mills has come to a complete standstill.
This is due to action from the Swedish Paper Workers Union
Pappers. The mills affected by the strike are Södra Cell Värö;
Billerud Skärblacka; Stora Enso Skoghall; Korsnäs Gävle; Iggesund
and SCA Munksund.
Pappers has also stepped up its action by serving notice of
strikes at six more mills if no collective agreement can be reached
between the union and Swedish Forest Industries Federation, the
employers’ organization.
The six new mills served notice are Smurfit-Kappa Kraftliner
Piteå; SCA Obbola; Korsnäs Frövi; Stora Enso Fors; Billerud Gruvön
and Södra Cell Mönsterås. These strikes will begin April 26.
Pappers has also given notice of strike at Waggeryd Cell pulp mill,
as the mill has – according to Pappers – broken the overtime ban,
which was implemented by the union on April 12. The six additional
mills employ 2,800 Pappers members.
The central issues at stake are pay and ensuring that Swedish
paper workers receive a 2010 salary increase backdated to April 1,
the date of a prior three-year contract expiration; pension issues;
an adequate increase for the lowest paid workers in the industry,
and an assurance that the union will be consulted when temporary
workers or labour agencies are used for employment.
Pappers union members are being supported by unions worldwide,
with messages of support and solidarity being sent from UK Unite
chapels and members; the United Steelworkers, Workers Uniting,
Union Network International, the International Chemical Workers,
the International Metal Workers and many print and paper unions
from around the world.
If you have not already done so send your support and
messages of solidarity in your own words to Mikke Sterbeck
at mikke.sterbeck.fk@pappers.se