Pro News / Nina Tuomainen

The employees had earlier demanded from the management of the plant that occupational safety and health be improved and that the disciplinary system, felt to be unfair, be changed.

According to a survey published by United Steelworkers (USW) and the central organisation AFL-CIO in May, the growth of Huhtamäki's business in the United States is based on low wages, unsafe working conditions and a disorganised workforce In August, USW demanded Huhtamäki give a written statement, in which it commits to not punish those wishing to join the union.

Labor Relations Board demands communications

Employees do not join the union on an individual basis, but rather one plant at a time. The labour union needs to be recognised if the majority of employees wish to join it.

In the beginning of November, the National Labor Relations Board of USA demanded Huhtamäki provide information about the right of association to its employees. The employer has no right to influence the freedom of association of its employees.

“However, Huhtamäki's actions demonstrate something else,” says Matti Koskinen, Head of International Affairs at Trade Union Pro.

Problems only in the USA

It is common within the USA for executive management to oppose the unions and organisations of the employees. Huhtamäki has 21 factories in the USA, five of which have joined USW and now USW is targeting the Commerce factory.

The international corporation has 61 factories and almost 15,000 employees globally. Problems with freedom of association have only been met in the USA.

For 15 years, the Group management of Huhtamäki has cooperated with Littler Mendelson law firm used also in Commerce. With the help of the law from, the company has organised events where employees of the Commerce plant have been intimidated into ensuring that they will vote against the union.

“With regard to employee rights, the situation is unbearable and breaches their basic rights. Within legal limits, the employer is intimidating the employees, so that they will not get organised for their own benefit,” says Koskinen.

The employer is aiming to ensure that the employees understand what joining the union means – as is the habit in the United States, said Katariina Hietaranta, Head of Group Communications at Huhtamäki, in an interview in Taloussanomat newspaper on 25 June.

Cultural support from the backs of American employees

Huhtamäki's headquarters is located in Espoo, Finland and the majority owner of the company is the Finnish Cultural Foundation. The Cultural Foundation is a private trust that provides grants for various fields of culture.

“How is it possible that a Finnish company treats its employees like this? Huhtamäki should comply with international rules. If the employees want to join the union, the employer should directly cooperate with the union without any attempts to sideline the issue, ” demands Taru Reinikainen, Collective Bargaining Director for Chemical Industry at Pro.

It also curious that an owner with a background in culture does not support the principle of complying with human rights, doesn’t respect rights in relation to working life and doesn’t demand that the executive management does the right thing.

Investors are enjoying their dividends

Huhtamäki is one of the companies in the Helsinki stock exchange whose owners have a great deal to celebrate all the time. Kauppalehti newspaper wrote on 17 November that its dividends have risen for five years running.

However, this rate of success is not enough for the owners but even more extensive result pressures are directed at North America.

“The result of the North America segment should have been better. We have taken measures to improve the result,” said Jukka Moisio, the CEO of Huhtamäki, in the company's interim report.

Pro participates in the campaign

The Trade Union Pro supports the freedom of association of Huhtamäki's Commerce factory.

“Pro participates in the international campaign by influencing the Group management together with the Finnish Paper Workers’ Union,” says Koskinen.

Like the Facebook site of the campaign and show your support for Huhtamäki employees.