Several trade unions threaten with strike – all you need to know

It is, to say the least, infected in the labor market and several trade unions have notified strike. If the parties do not agree, strikes can break off already next week.

DN works out what is happening – and how you are affected by a strike.

Why strike?
Sweden has a tradition of strong trade unions and a high proportion of affiliated workers. You usually talk about the « Swedish model » that aims to the social partners, ie employers and unions, negotiating gaming rules and collective agreements without the state interfering with.

If the parties do not agree, the unions have the right to take out members on strike – but they must warn the employer at least a week before.

Who has warned of strike now and why?
The Union, the Swedish Engineers and the Journalist Association have notified a strike at companies where the employer organization Almega is a counterparty. The conflict is primarily about shortening of working hours, but also claims linked to higher compensation to part -time employees, an issue that is also run by Municipal who warned about strikes at Liseberg.

Martin Wästfelt is the negotiating manager at the Union.

– We want to use part of the salary space to get more leisure and shorter working hours. The fact that it is on the wallpaper is related to the fact that many people experience increased stress and difficulty in getting their lives together, he says.

How many are affected?
Around 5,000 members within the Union, 1,000 at Sweden’s engineers and around 300 at SJF. Some parts are exempted notice, such as parts of the news reporting at SVT.

What happens if there is a strike?
Mediation is ongoing. However, if the strike gets rid of the union members who are taken out of work must not go to work and the loss of income is replaced by the trade unions, which corresponds to the usual salary.

– We have a very large conflict fund and have no problems paying and protecting members’ income, says Martin Wästfelt.

What happens if you still go to work, or are not in the union?
If you still go to work you can be excluded from the union. If you are not a member you can work on as usual but the union can encourage you to strike solidarityly. However, you will not receive any compensation from them.

– You must also not take over a colleague’s information. If the employer calls for that, we will expand the combat measures and strike even more powerful, says Martin Wästfelt.

Can I join the compartment during a strike – or jump off?
You can join until the strike breaks out. If you have been placed, you cannot leave until the strike is over.

What is expected during a strike?
That you should be available for different types of trade union work, such as acting as a strike guard.

What applies to parental leave and illness?
Parental and sick leave is not covered by a strike if they are vacant or sick when the combat action breaks out.

What is meant by lockout?
This is when the employer responds to a conflict by excluding the staff from the workplace without pay. This can be done, for example, as a counterpart when parts of the workforce are taken out on strike.

However, this is quite unusual, according to Martin Wästfelt.

– But it has historically been important and puts the union’s ability at the forefront. If we take out 5,000 people and the lockouts 60,000, we need to pay strike funds to many more.

Can more trade unions follow?
– Other unions can also notify, these are in principle important issues. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that large parts of the labor market reached agreements, says Martin Wästfelt.

What does Almega say then?
That it is worrying and irresponsible to notify conflict instead of continuing the negotiations, according to Maria Möller, who is the employer political director at Almega.

– A negotiation is always a rewarding and taking from both parties. We have always been prepared to find reasonable and industry -adapted solutions. Now we are facing a situation where the unions require something that costs employers very much, without wanting to give something equivalent in return, says Maria Möller.

How long can the strike hold on?
The fact that conflicts can become long -winded shows not least IF Metall’s conflict with Tesla where the strike has been going on for over 1.5 years. Here, however, the parties are very long apart and the question revolves around whether Tesla should sign a collective agreement or not.

What happens now?
The message from Almega and the Union is to hope for a solution before the conflicts break out.