His comments came following the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' (ICEM) Unions pulp and paper conference held in Uruguay last week (8-10 December).

Ellis said at the event that there was a perceived lack of growth in the paper market in Western Europe, due to increasing energy and raw material prices.

Some 125 trade unions leaders from the pulp and paper sector attended the event, entitled North Meets South, Global Unity, Global Strength.

The delegates embarked on a four-point work plan focusing on national collective bargaining schedules for 2009.

In a statement, ICEM said: "Active solidarity requires timely information on bargaining, and the ICEM will engage with affiliates in order to create a timely exchange of information regarding pulp, paper and forestry industry news that affects workers."

Dick Blin, ICEM pulp and paper officer, said it was a "very aggressive" work plan around collective negotiations in around 15 countries worldwide.