UPM Kymmene will start negotiations on 90 days of temporary layoffs at its Finnish pulp, paper and sawmills mill in reaction to possible operating uncertainties in the second half of the year.
The temporary layoffs would affect the group's UPM Pulp, UPM Timber and UPM Communication Papers business divisions, and are "conducted to prepare for possible temporary adjustment of production in the Finnish units, should the uncertainty in the operating environment continue," UPM said.
The change negotiations on possible temporary layoffs cover more than 2,500 persons at all UPM pulp mills, sawmills, and communication paper mills in Finland. The temporary layoffs could take place in stages for a maximum of 90 days between 1 July and 31 December 2024 at UPM Pulp and UPM Timber sites, and between 1 September 2024 and 28 February 2025 at UPM Communication Papers' mills, the company announced.
According to UPM, decisions on the implementation of possible temporary layoffs will be made once the change negotiations have been concluded.
At the start of 2024, UPM had already negotiated 90 days of temporary layoffs for its Pulp, Timber, Biofuels and Communication Papers divisions. The measures are approved for implementation in the first half of the year, with the exception of Communication Papers division which has a temporary layoff agreement covering a period from 1 March to 31 August 2024. The company did not provide any information on the extent of temporary layoffs being implemented so far.
