Jun 21, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. Amicus Britain's biggest private sector union is supporting paper workers in Finland who have been locked out of paper mills until early July. Finland is Europe's largest producer of paper and many companies in the UK are concerned about the impact the lock out will have on paper stocks and prices. The workers have been locked out due to an ongoing dispute between the employers and the Finnish paper workers union over the employers attempts to pull out of the national wages agreement. Support for the Finnish Paperworkers Union (Paperiliitto) is spreading, with workers at Finnish-owned paper mills in the US and Canada involved in demonstrations. The lock outs at Finnish paper mills have now been extended until early July, with talks set to resume this week, while European paper stocks continue to diminish. Amicus has expressed its support for Paperiliitto alongside a number of US and Canadian unions including the steelworkers union (USW), the teamsters, the electrical workers, the machinists, the office employees, the plumbers and pipefitters and the communication energy and paperworkers union in Canada. Amicus Assistant general secretary Tony Burke said: "Amicus has sent messages of support to the Finnish union. We will now be consulting with Amicus reps in Finnish owned paper mills and paper products companies in the UK as to how best we can now help Paperiliitto win their dispute. Tony Burke said: "The European mine, chemical and energy workers' federation (EMCEF) - of which Amicus is a member - is also investigating whether the real purpose of the lockout in Finland is to increase paper prices in Europe. The employers in Finland pulled out of the national incomes policy agreement last year and has sought changes from the union including eliminating Christmas and mid-summer shutdown days, greater flexibility, unlimited outsourcing and sick leave cuts. "Some companies in the UK printing industry have told us they are getting concerned about paper stocks and prices, particularly if the dispute drags on. The Finnish union is on record as saying it is looking for a fair settlement and to normalise the co-operation with the employers - not to damage the industry."