Walki, producer of protective packaging materials and technical laminates, announced January 27 that it will start personnel negotiations at its plants in Pietarsaari and Valkeakoski on February 4. The negotiation process will affect all employee groups at the two plants. It is estimated that the personnel reduction need is 80 employees. The two Finnish plants employ at present about 435 people.The restructuring process will be carried out during 2010. These measures will be supported by the introduction of an operations excellence program to further improve the efficiency and customer service capabilities of the Finnish plants, Walki writes in a press release.The announcement by the company management led immediately to strikes in both Pietarsaari and Valkeakoski. In Valkeakoski the strike will end on Friday, January 29. The strike in Pietarsaari will end on Saturday, January 30, according to local newspapers.