Paper Strike
The paper strike at UPM Raflatac in Finland is causing major shortages of supply of some certain grades of face papers and glassines to the European labour market. BPIF Labels have been tracking development for several weeks and have worked with FINAT, Intergraf and the national associations across 15 countries in Europe to raise awareness of the potentially serious consequences of continued action which will impact on the well-being of 500 million consumers across Europe.
The joint statement from FINAT and the nine national associations covers the issue extremely well and can be downloaded here. We have also raised, through our packaging federations network, the issue with DEFRA to highlight the potential risk to food chain supplies and BEIS have also been made aware.
We are keeping the Department for Business up to date with the latest on the ongoing paper shortage situation, and informing them of how we’re supporting our members at this difficult time.
While the UK Government can’t intervene in a foreign industrial dispute, they are keen to know the impact on the UK printing industry and how this might affect other industries – for example food and pharmaceuticals - and, ultimately, consumers.
Stock levels will of course need to be managed according to your commercial situation and specific stock availability. BPIF HR advisers are available should you need to consider short time working or other matters.
We are still keen to hear from Labels members so we can feed your information back to Government so please contact Graham Backhouse or Darren Shepherd, copying in Carys Davis, the BPIF’s Public Affairs Adviser, on carys.davis@bpif.org.uk.
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