Finnish meat sector faces lock-out threat

The Finnish Food and Drink Industries' Federation (FDIF) has announced it will begin a lock-out in meat industry plants on April 26-28, if no agreement is reached in the negotiations to start on April 19.

In addition, the plants' meat product and ready meal sections will be closed also on the first of May 2010.

According to the federation, it was forced to respond to the Finnish Food Workers' Union's (SEL) strike threat with the lock-out. The SEL has announced it will begin a new three-day strike April 21, 2010.

The FDIF has also announced it will extend the lock-out to begin before the first of May 2010 to concern ready-made food, and the fish industry.

Negotiations to solve the dispute are to continue on April 19, 2010.