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Paper Lockout to Last Through June

There is still no end in sight for the dispute in the paper and pulp industry. Employers have announced the lockout will continue until the end of June if no settlement is reached before then.

After yet another round of talks on Tuesday, the state labour mediator said neither side had budged and he had no plans to present a compromise proposal.

The two sides disagree on keeping production running through public holidays and the outsourcing of work

The employers' announcement to continue the lockout will certainly not improve the atmosphere around the negotiating table.

Other trade unions are now expected to take sympathy action to support the paper workers.

First in line is the Federation of Special Service and Clerical Employees, whose members will stop processing any import or export documents of the Federation of Finnish Forest Industries or its members.

Several trade unions have said they will meet this week to decide on what action to take against the paper workers' employers.

Meanwhile, employers have decided to relax the lockout slightly. Some plants will start churning out cardboard boxes on Wednesday to alleviate an impending shortage of packing material in the food industry.

Sources: YLE24, Finnish News Agency