Court rules to stop strike at UPM heat, water units

The Helsinki District Court on Friday issued a ruling that the heat production and water treatment units at all the plants of the forest-based industry company UPM must be kept outside of the ongoing strike enforced by the Finnish Paperworkers’ Union.

The court issued the order after hearing from both the parties following an plea submitted by the UPM authority, said UPM in a press release.

According to the court ruling, the Paperworkers' Union must stop all strike action at all the plants of UPM that endangers the emergency functioning of society, or risk being fined two million euros.

"This was an important verdict. The right to strike is extensive in Finland, but strikes must also be observed responsibly and in the interests of society," said Executive Vice President of Stakeholder Relations of UPM , Pirkko Harrela in the press release.

The court verdict is applicable to power and water treatment plants of UPM's and its subsidiaries in Jämsänkoski, Lappeenranta, Kouvola, Rauma and Valkeakoski and also at the water treatment plant in Pietarsaari.

The Finnish Paperworkers’ Union on Thursday decided to extend the going strike of at the mills of UPM by two more weeks until 19 February.

The union started the strike at UPM Pulp, UPM Biofuels, UPM Communication Papers, UPM Specialty Papers and UPM Raflatac units in Finland on 1 January and initially it was scheduled to be continued until 22 January.

Earlier, on 5 January the union extended the strike until 5 February.

The strike, however, does not concern UPM Plywood and UPM Timber, both of which signed business specific collective agreements with the Industrial Union in December.