FINLAND (News release) -- Stora Enso has completed the co-determination negotiations on possible temporary layoffs with its employees at its Oulu Mill in Finland. As a result of the negotiations, Stora Enso can, if needed, temporarily lay off employees at Oulu Mill, excluding the personnel at the pulp mill, for a maximum of 90 days during the first half of 2019.

"Possible temporary curtailments would be used to enhance efficiency and optimise paper production according to the market demand. Oulu pulp mill was outside of the scope of the negotiations, and it is planned to be run during the possible temporary layoffs," says Mill Director Jari Kärkkäinen.

Stora Enso announced on 28 November 2018 that it would start co-determination negotiations at Oulu Mill, as market demand for woodfree coated papers (WFC) produced at the mill has declined. Simultaneously the prices of the most important raw materials for paper production have continued to rise.