Valio's change negotiations that started on 30 January 2024 have ended. The change negotiations concerned Valio's headquarters functions as well as production-supporting technical services, maintenance and factory services. These tasks are handled in a distributed manner throughout Finland.
A total of 1,170 people were within the scope of the negotiations. As a result of the change negotiations, personnel reductions targeted 89 people and substantial changes to the terms and conditions of the employment at 114 people. Initially, it was estimated that the staff reductions would affect a maximum of 130 people, and the planned substantial changes to the terms and conditions of employment, such as changes in job descriptions and job content, would affect a maximum of 135 people. Valio employs a total of approximately 4,300 people, of which 3,700 work in Finland.
The general global economic situation is currently weak, and this is also reflected in Valio’s business operations. The grounds for the negotiations were due to production and economic reasons and operational restructuring.
“Through profitable business operations, we ensure the vitality of our owners, i.e. the dairy farms, and we secure the continuity of Finnish food production. That enables us in the long run to also create jobs and livelihoods around Finland. We support re-employment of laid-off persons”, says Marianne Tammela, Executive Vice President, People, Strategy and Innovations.
Valio is owned by about 3,400 dairy farms through cooperatives, and Valio pays its operating profits to the farmers.