FINNISH paper workers belonging to the Paperiliitto union at multinational UPM returned to work on April 23 after 112 days of strike action — the longest in the country’s history. 

Workers walked out after UPM attempted to undermine national pay bargaining and union rights within the company.

The union’s 2,200 members took all-out strike action and resisted UPM’ s strike-breaking activities with 24-hour picketing, which received strong support from print and paper unions internationally including Unite, Workers Uniting and IndustriALL Global Union.

UPM set out to break trade union organisation at UPM in Finland and attempted to break collective bargaining by setting pay and conditions unilaterally.

The company however failed in its bid to increase annual working hours with no increase in pay. 

UPM were forced to accept union demands for conditions in line with national industry standards. 

The new agreement also delivers salary increases that are in line with the industry standard.

UPM’s financial losses from the strike were estimated at between €2-3 million per day, on top of the long-term damage to the company’s reputation with customers.

The conflict was resolved with both parties accepting a final proposal from a national mediator. 

Under the proposal, five separate collective bargaining agreements were established, one for each industrial segment of the company, with a duration of four years and salary renegotiation after two years.

Paperiliitto President Petri Vanhala said: “Thanks to Paperiliitto members at UPM holding the strike strong, a collective agreement was achieved for all of the company. 

“This strike defended the right to bargain. UPM’s behaviour was a bad example of industrial relations and we expect that now companies will respect workers more when they see they are capable of  striking for 112 days.”