The two sides met at the office of the National Conciliator for a two-hour discussion, with further talks to follow tomorrow (14 June).

Talks resumed as the lockouts by employers at the Finnish pulp and paper mills continued, with UK paper stocks continuing to run down.

The lockouts have been extended until the end of June, and if employers wish to continue them beyond that point they must give notice by tomorrow.

A spokeswoman for the Finnish Forest Industries Federation, which is handling the talks on behalf of the employers, said the Paperworkers Union has now decided that it will no longer demand a significant reduction in working time.

The union agreed on the further concession after it decided to also give up the Midsummer and Christmas shutdowns.

This follows the union's earlier rejection of a proposed settlement by the Conciliator on 5 June.

However, one remaining issue is still the employers' desire to be able to use outside sources for some operations at the mills.

Both sides have been called on to bring an end to the long-running dispute, with pressure mounting for the Finnish government to intervene.

Support measures by the Chemical Workers Union, the Service Union United and the Finnish Aviation Union have now commenced, in solidarity with the Paperworkers Union.

Story by Andy Scott