The move by the firm follows the union announcing its intention to talk to representatives of Finnish owned UK mills, merchants and recycling plants on the possibility of industrial action.

Following talks with local union representatives Managers of M-real's two UK mills, Sittingbourne and New Thames paper stated: "It is unlikely production will be affected by any action taken in support of Finnish paper workers.

"Union representatives do support their Finnish colleagues but cannot take any local industrial action as it could be considered secondary strike action."

Talks between the Finnish employers and paper workers union, aimed at ending the industrial action in Finland, resumed today (Tuesday 21 June).

Story by Darryl Danielli