| Unions plan more action to stave off closure at Kemijärvi and Summa mills Helsinki (21.01.2008 - The paperworkers' union is strenuous in its demand that Stora Enso agree to sell the mills to investors who are ready to continue production at the two mills. According to the union there are potential buyers for both mills. The union is still counting on intervention by the Finnish government to persuade Stora Enso to recind its decision to close the two mills without due consideration to a transfer of ownership. The Finnish state holds almost 16 per cent of Stora Enso's shares and controls 35 per cent of the votes. The union of salaried employees TU primarily wants Stora Enso to suspend the closure date until September. On Monday 14 January the largest union confederation, SAK, asked Stora Enso to allow the parties more time to study and examine the factors that have played such an important role in the company's decision. TU, along with the Paperworkers' union, is counting on the Finnish government's willingness to exert pressure on Stora Enso to change its decision. In the coming days TU will also step up pressure on both the company and the government by mobilising its rank and file members in five other companies where the state is the owner or one of the owners. The idea is to target the teleoperators Elisa and TeliaSonera, the aviation company Finnair, the alcohol manufacturer and distributor Altia and the weapons manufacturer Patria. According to TU this mobilisation effect will have a direct impact on Stora Enso's customers. Deferral until September will give all parties time to investigate options leaning towards a continuation of production, TU says. It is the union’s view, that in all likelihood, there will be new solutions concerning Russia's timber tariffs before the autumn. And those solutions may have an impact on Stora Enso's decision. TU warns that it may soon expand the mobilisation of its rank and file members from the five companies to include the energy sector and chemical industry. Read also:
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