Industrial action looks likely to go ahead at Swedish paper mills after unions failed to reach a consensus over an outstanding labour agreement over the weekend

An overtime ban at all Swedish mills and a blockade of temporary and labour agency workers has been scheduled from 6pm today (12 April) and employers' associations are due to meet this afternoon to discuss strategy.

A spokesman for the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) told Packaging News that Svenska Pappers rejected the employers' 22-month proposal that failed to increase wages in line with the cost of living in Sweden.

Should no resolution be reached following the blockade, strikes have been planned at six profitable mills where local branch unions are strongest from 16 April, the ICEM said.