Billerud workers are about to strike at a second of the firm’s Swedish mills – Gruvön – after the Swedish Paper Workers Union rejected a peace deal at the weekend.
 
It will mean a total work stoppage at the paper mill from 18.00 CET today.
 
The loss of production is expected to affect Billerud’s earnings by SEK 4 million per day exclusive of compensation from the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise’s strike fund (Sw. konfliktfond).
 
Billerud’s paper mill in Skärblacka has been at a standstill since 16 April due to the Swedish Paper Workers Union’s strike.
 
The total cost to Billerud of these two mills with production stoppages amounts to around SEK 7 million per day exclusive of compensation from the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise’s strike fund.
 
The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise has pledged that full compensation from strike funds will be paid to members affected by this industrial action.
 
“This conflict feels totally unnecessary and is a tragedy for everyone who works in the Swedish paper industry,” said Billerud’s President and CEO, Per Lindberg (pictured).
 
“We apologise to our customers for the damages we are causing them and hope that those responsible for these damages will come to their senses as soon as possible so that we can start deliveries again.”
 
Billerud’s is a packaging world-leader. It has production at three integrated pulp and paper mills in Sweden and at one paper mill in the UK.
 
www.billerud.com
 
Edited by Ellie Duncan