Workers strike at Europe’s biggest paper producer

HELSINKI - Thousands of workers for Stora Enso of Finland, Europe’s leading paper and cardboard maker, staged a 24-hour strike to protest plans by the company to cut 1,700 jobs, unions said Saturday.

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By (AFP)

Published: Sat 27 Oct 2007, 5:05 PM

Last updated: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 11:30 PM

Union spokesman Kari Miettinen told AFP that six to seven thousand of the 12,000 workforce took part in the action which ended on Saturday morning.

Stora Enso said Thursday it would close three paper mills and cut 1,700 jobs after falling into the red in the third quarter. The losses were blamed on rising wood prices and the weak US dollar.

Stora Enso said it would shut down several production lines either permanently or temporarily, close two mills in Finland and one in Sweden, and either sell or dismantle another mill in Finland.

European paper companies have been hit by rising costs for raw materials and energy, compounded by rising competition from developing nations. Stora Enso recently sold its North American and Brazilian operations in order to concentrate on the European market.

(AFP)

Published: Sat 27 Oct 2007, 5:05 PM

Last updated: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 11:30 PM

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