Production changes at Seskarö sawmill due to timber shortage

Although a structural review is already in progress in north Norrbotten, Setra is adjusting its operations at Seskarö sawmill to take account of the reduced supply of raw materials. Local negotiations have been started in accordance with the Swedish Codetermination Act with a view to reducing production by one shift with effect from 1 April.

In December 2007 Setra announced a strategic decision to concentrate operations in north Norrbotten on Kalix. The decision means both a focus on increased sawing and processing at Rolfs, and closure of the sawmill in Seskarö. Negotiations concerning this restructuring as required by the Swedish Codetermination Act were started on 13 December and are still in progress. A workers’ consultant has been engaged and a study is expected to be able to be presented at the end of March.

During study period for this restructuring, production at Seskarö needs to be adjusted to take account of the present shortage of timber. This means that a parallel negotiation process will be started locally at Seskarö in respect of changing from two shifts to a single shift with effect from 1 April. Seskarö currently produces 155,000 m3 of sawn timber and the cutback would reduce this by around 80,000 m3. Around 60 people currently work at Seskarö sawmill, about half of whom will be affected by the cutback in production.

A special delegation has been established on the initiative of Per-Ola Eriksson, governor of the county of Norrbotten, to assist with development and retraining issues resulting from the planned closure of the sawmill in Seskarö that forms part of the restructuring. The delegation includes a member appointed by Setra to represent the employer as well as trade union representatives at Seskarö sawmill.