Strikes at SSAB production facilities in Finland

Strikes in Finland by a number of unions in response to new collective bargaining agreements are estimated to weaken SSAB Europe's fourth-quarter profit by about SEK 250 million.

The strikes in Raahe and Hämeenlinna by the Industrial Union, the Pro Trade Union and the YTN Professional and Management Personnel Federation began on December 9 and ended on December 11, 2019, but some workers continue to strike.

An SSAB spokesman said: “The strikes by the Finnish electrical workers' union in Raahe and Hämeenlinna continue and there is a risk of further industrial action. In addition to this, SSAB Europe's activities were negatively impacted by the fact that some trade unions eventually introduced a ban, among other things. One of the blast furnaces in Raahe was shut down at the end of November, a week ahead of schedule due to an electrician's strike, and will remain unemployed for the rest of the year. ”