TU (16.02.2009) Nokia's plan to close down the R & D unit in Jyväskylä means casting aside over 300 high-quality employees. Given the present world situation this is incomprehensible business policy, claims a highly critical Union of Salaried Employees (TU).
If the company implements its plan, the union demands full responsibility from the employer. Finnish employees who will be given notice must be treated equally with the German employees who last year lost their jobs at the mobile telephone plant in Bochum.
"It is hard to believe that Nokia would cut activity that is very significant to its future. Employees in Jyväskylä are confused and worried. Their ability has been a resource for the whole company. They are very motivated top professionals. The unit that Nokia now plans to close played a role when the company made a profit of almost EUR1,000 million at the end of last year, Antti Rinne, the President of the TU says, demanding Nokia reveal the reasons for its plan.
Rinne is very worried that cutting key activities, in reaction to the pressure from the stock market, will only weaken Nokia's competitivity in the long run.
"The leadership of the company has to be able to see years far ahead, not just glance at the quick reactions of the market place."
Last Wednesday Nokia's representatives said that only a handful of employees working at the R & D unit in Jyväskylä, may be able to continue as Nokia's employees.
"On Wednesday Nokia promised to do everything that is possible to help the employees who lose their jobs to find new jobs. We assume that the company also appreciates its Finnish professionals as much as their German colleagues. That would mean guaranteeing the Finns the same economic opportunities as the Germans to manage the situation after losing one's job."
"Nokia now has to demonstrate that it can live up to its social responsibility commitments also in its home country. Nokia's employees in Finland have a right to equal treatment."
"If Nokia does not respond positively to this demand we are ready to fight -to the very end- for a decent compensation package for everyone who is given notice, Rinne crystallises in his message to Nokia's leadership.